Creswell Crags, Prehistoric art cave in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, England
Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire that holds several caves with traces of human habitation and ancient rock carvings. The chambers stretch along the gorge and display archaeological finds spanning thousands of years.
Excavations revealed occupation layers from 50,000 years ago, indicating the presence of Neanderthals and later human settlements across different epochs. The caves served as shelter and dwelling places over long periods.
The caves preserve the most northern Paleolithic rock carvings in Europe, including engraved animal figures such as bison and horses on the stone walls. Visitors can view these engravings today during guided tours, which offer direct contact with prehistoric art.
Visitors can explore the site only through guided tours, including specialized explorations of Robin Hood Cave and Church Hole. Advance booking is required for all cave visits.
Pin Hole cave yielded a carved bone fragment depicting a human figure, representing one of the earliest examples of portable art in Britain. This find demonstrates the artistic skills of the prehistoric inhabitants of the region.
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