guardian.co.uk/science/2010/jun/20/ice-age-cannibals-britain-earliest-settlers
A new carbon dating technique (’ultra filtration’) has suggested that the cave was colonised very quickly from further south in Europe after the retreat of the glaciers. It was inhabited for a few hundred years c. 14,700 years ago (a shorter time than previously thought), and it was probably only a intermittent retreat, not a permanent home. Human bones from the cave show traces of being butchered just like animal bones, to remove the flesh and marrow (and the brain, tongue and eyes, for those wanting more gruesome detail) – but still, it’s not possible to say whether this was due to hunger or cultural practice. After this period the ice returned and Britain was completely depopulated again. Chilly.
Made me remember the Submendip quarry where they found the bones of someone over 700,000 year old. The following is an old paper but still fascinating.
[DOC] From The Times, June 04, 2002..link doesnt work but if you type 'sub mendip quarry oldest man' you should get there....
"Research in East Anglia, and a new analysis of bones found two decades ago in a Somerset quarry, show that human beings have been living in Britain for up to 200,000 years longer than has generally been thought. Mankind’s ancestors may have migrated here as long as 700,000 years ago."
Also, don't know if you've walked through Ebbor Gorge Rhiannon, but its a fascinating hour walk, it narrows to about two feet at one point, and it should have the nettle leaved bellflower in it as well in summer.