Scheduled MonumentsEnglandAveline's Hole, Burrington Combe

Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe

England
List entry 1010297
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Aveline's Hole is a limestone cave located in Burrington Combe, Somerset, which contains evidence of occupation spanning the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. The site is significant for its early human remains, particularly the burial of a woman named Aveline, whose skeletal material has been dated to approximately 10,000 years ago, making it amongst the earliest known burials in Britain. The cave itself shows signs of repeated habitation throughout the Mesolithic period, with deposits containing flint tools, animal bones, and other artefacts indicating sustained use as a shelter. The site has been subject to archaeological investigation since the nineteenth century and remains important for understanding the transition from hunter-gatherer to early farming communities in southern Britain.

Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1010297. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe?

Aveline's Hole is a limestone cave located in Burrington Combe, Somerset, which contains evidence of occupation spanning the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1010297.

Who is responsible for protecting Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe?

Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1010297.

What other scheduled monuments are near Aveline's Hole, Burrington Combe?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Duck decoy, west of Nyland Hill (8.7 km), Two bowl barrows 350m south of Brimble Pit Pool: part of a group of round barrows north and east of Foxhills Wood (8.8 km), Bowl barrow 550m south east of Brimble Pit Pool: one of a group of round barrows north and east of Foxhills Wood (9 km).

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