Details of Rhinoceros Hole cave on Pastscape
A small cave immediately adjacent to the Hyena Den (ST 54 NW 18), one of a small group of Pleistocene cave sites in the Wookey Hole ravine. A small-scale excavation was undertaken circa 1900 by HE Balch, and more extensive investigation occurred between 1970 and 1976. No material survives from Balch’s work, though records suggest that bones of rhinocerous, horse and hyena were present. The bulk of the sediments within the cave were removed during the 1970s excavations, uncovering a thick sequence of Devensian sediments with associated fauna and artefacts. The artefacts in particular seem to confirm two phases of cave use, the principal finds comprising a Middle Palaeolithic handaxe plus 3 handaxe trimming flakes, and a retouched blade of probable early Upper Palaeolithic date.