Site Event/Activity record ECH7197 - The Sandstone Ridge Trust. Interim Report: Bolesworth Estate Cave, nr Harthill

Archaeological trial trenching of a sandstone cave ( Queens Parlour) identified from the Ridge Rocks and Springs site recording. 3 day volunteer dig. Work consisted of trial trenches to investigate the extent of the caves and geology, whilst looking for signs of historic occupation. An examination was also undertaken for grafitti Trench 1 was located across the current entrance to the cave, along an area that had previoulsy been distrurbed by the digging of fire pit, assumed to be from modern use. The trench showed the depth of sand that had accumulated across the entrance and a layer of burnt material from modern firepits. 20th century material from the charcoal layer, mostly broken glass and bottle tops.the flor was composed of compacted sand approx 20cm deep lying over sandstone bedrock Trench 2 was a small chamber at the furthest northern point of the the cave system. It was excavated to remove the sand fill to examine the bedrock and natural sandstone walls and floor for tool marks and occupation evidence.Tool marks indicated the extraction of sand from this chamber. No finds recorded Trench 3 - 1m wide trench along the northen wall of the second chamber, adjacent to a sandstone pillar. Its aim was to determine floor levels and the nature of the column, to understand if it was eroded by water action or man made as part of the sand extraction. The trench revealed 2 distinct sand layers in the fill. Top layer mixed with organic ingress, coarse yellow sand layer and a fine, almost white sand assumed to be the material being extracted ( for polishing and cleaning). Bedrock and column showed tool marks.An Iron spade with fragments of a broken handle and a single piece of worked chert were found in this trench. Hazel nut shells also excavated Grafitti recorded and also "celtic" head carvings. Report conclusion is that the extraction of the fine white sand was the process that enlarged and shaped the cave as seen today. Also evidence of transient use of the cave in modern times but no occupation deposits or hearths located.