Friday 24th December 2010
Kents Cavern Ltd, Cavern House, 91 Ilsham Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF
Tel: 01803 215136, Fax: 01803 211034, E-mail: nickpowe@kents-cavern.co.uk
PRESS RELEASE
Is Britain’s oldest home the warmest place in the country?
No wonder the prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern on the English Riviera
are the oldest prehistoric home in Britain. They certainly aren’t the coldest.
Whatever the weather is doing outside, the natural temperature inside the cavern
remains above 15oC (59oF) every day…and it’s been like this for hundreds of
thousands of years.
Claire Rogers (pictured) manager at the cavern, says “As modern Britain
experiences first hand the effects of extreme cold, these prehistoric caves
remain warm and inviting.
Our ancient ancestors took full advantage of this during previous Ice
Ages. In the cave we’ve found charcoal remains of fire, prehistoric shell
torches, flint hand axes, bone needles and antler spear points, alongside
bones of mammoth, saber-toothed cats and hyenas … everything you’d
expect in a Stone Age home.
Right now, we think Britain’s oldest home is probably the warmest
outdoor place in Britain!”
-ENDSNOTES TO NEWS/PICTURE DESK:
1) Kents Cavern in Torquay, Devon is one of the most important Stone Age cave sites in
Europe, making it Britain’s premier prehistoric cave. For thousands of years the cave was
home to ancient humans, sheltering from extreme weather, making fires, shaping stone
tools and hunting wild Ice Age predators.
2) Guided tours take visitors back to these ancient times, walking through an extensive
labyrinth of caverns surrounded by spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations.
3) The caves are a protected national monument and a major visitor centre for the
UNESCO endorsed English Riviera Global Geopark.
4) For further information and interview or photography/filming requests at Kents
Cavern, please contact Nick Powe at Kents Cavern on (01803) 215136 or e-mail:
nickpowe@kents-cavern.co.uk