Three skulls dating back to the Early Neolithic period more than five thousand years ago that were discovered in Craven are going on display at Skipton Town Hall.
A partnership between Craven Museum at Skipton Town Hall and the Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society has succeeded in adding new knowledge to the prehistory of the Yorkshire Dales.
The society's Dates in Drawers project paid for the scientific dating of a skull from one of three bodies excavated in 1889 and in the care of Craven Museum, from Elbolton Cave, near Grassington.
In 1973 the burials were estimated to be Early Bronze Age, but a more recent assessment in 2013 speculated that they might be of Early Neolithic date.
The result, which puts the skull as dating from 3947 to 3764 BC, clarifies the date of all three of the near-complete crouched burials. Carefully interred in crude stone cists within the cave, they show possible evidence of 'excarnation' (where the bodies had been allowed to be partly eaten by wolves or foxes before burial).
The new date firmly establishes the burials as Early Neolithic — long before the earliest earthworks at Stonehenge, for example. This is of particular interest due to the evidence for early ritual treatment and adds greater certainty to our knowledge about the early prehistoric use of Elbolton Cave, and to the archaeology of Yorkshire caves generally.
Craven Museum Lead Jenny Hill said: “It has been fantastic to have the opportunity to gain scientific evidence that firmly places the Elbolton Cave finds in the Neolithic period. This knowledge is very important for the history of Craven and the wider Yorkshire area. Working with the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society on this project has been very rewarding and I hope similar projects continue across the region.”
The Yorkshire Archaeological & Historical Society President, David Asquith, was delighted with the result. "I think this shows what local initiative and targeted support can do," he said. "Thanks to Jenny's enthusiasm the society is building a great partnership with Craven Museum and we look forward to similar productive projects with other Yorkshire museums."
The skulls are on permanent display at Craven Museum on the ground floor of Skipton Town Hall, alongside other items discovered in the cave. Entry is free.
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