This Is Archaeology: "Stump Cross Caverns", a century of partnership between a Show Cave and the British Caving Community

The Stump Cross Caverns in North Yorkshire have fascinated audiences since their discovery in the mid-nineteenth century. Today, the complex of cave systems remains a popular tourist attraction, but the site is far from static. Works are ongoing to expand access to deeper parts of the cave passageways.  

At the forefront of efforts to open more parts of the underground network is expert caver Tom Thompson. In this talk, Tom will share his experiences of co-ordinating a hugely challenging subterranean exercise in archaeology, geology and heritage management. We will explore the history of the Stump Cross Caverns, and reveal archaeological materials recovered from the site, which create a narrative that links palaeolithic patterns of life, to Victorian era early explorations of the caves.

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Join us for a unique insight into the archaeology and heritage management of Stump Cross Caverns.

Tom Thompson

Tom Thompson

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