Bloody Bones Cave Excavation – Archaeology on The Ridge

The Sandstone Ridge has always been an area in which quarrying has taken place.

That said, in the early 19th century, caves on the site were occupied by 'brigands' who terrorised occupants in the surrounding countryside.

Brigands were ordinarily gang members who ambushed and robbed people in forests and/or mountains.

Locally, it is known that they stole cheese from local farmers, plundered graves, as well as selling sand for cleaning purposes.

Seven brigands were actually captured and executed in and around this area in 1834.

Earlier this month, Bolesworth Estate kindly granted permissions to the Sandstone Ridge Trust to undertake excavations in the 'Bloody Bones Cave'.

Despite the difficult location, the poor access and the restricted working conditions, excavations confirmed the archaeological potential of such sites on the Sandstone Ridge.

It also demonstrated their usefulness as potential archaeological training sites for the future.

We hope you enjoy the images of an area, rich in heritage but which is inaccessible to but a few specialists.

(click on each image to enlarge).