Overview
- The University of Aberdeen secured Calleva Foundation funding to lead a five‑year investigation of Wogan Cavern, with larger excavations due to start at the end of May.
- Pilot digs from 2021 to 2024 uncovered intact layers with stone tools and animal remains, including hippopotamus bones likely from about 120,000 years ago.
- Researchers report extremely rare traces of early Homo sapiens in Britain along with possible Neanderthal presence, pointing to repeated use of the cave across more than 100,000 years.
- Early lab work indicates ancient DNA survives in bones and cave sediments, which allows precise dating and detailed reconstructions of past environments and species.
- The Pembroke Castle Trust will support the project and keep all recovered artefacts in Pembroke, opening new chances for local displays and research access.