Ice Age at Creswell Crags

The spectacular limestone gorge known as Creswell Crags was first occupied at least 45,000 years ago by Neanderthals. The first Ice Age portable art in Britain was found here in 1876, but it was not until 2003 that the country’s only Ice Age cave art was discovered here by an Anglo-Spanish team led by Paul Bahn. The figures, most of which are in Church Hole, comprise engravings and bas-reliefs, and date to about 14,000 years ago. As a result of this discovery, a new museum/visitor centre was built, and was opened in 2009 by Sir David Attenborough.

This unique day out offers a glimpse into the remote and enigmatic world of our Ice Age ancestors in the expert company of Dr Paul Bahn, author of Images of the Ice Age and Cave Art: A Guide to the Decorated Ice Age Caves of Europe. After an introductory lecture, he will personally present the cave art, including figures which are not accessible to the general public, as well as the museum displays.