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Bradgate Park, we're back investigating ~14,000 year old archaeology
The Ice Age Journeys team thank Deepak Samani, Bradgate Park volunteer, for his expertise in videoing this archaeological investigation.
The Ice Age Journeys team thank Deepak Samani, Bradgate Park volunteer, for his expertise in videoing this archaeological investigation.
Right, the site of the original excavation of the rocky knoll.
Michael Miller of Leicestershire Fieldworkers introduces the site and explains the geophysics performed in 2024 & 2025.
Michael Miller of Leicestershire Fieldworkers introduces the site and explains the geophysics performed in 2024 & 2025.
David Budge takes us through some of the finds, both flint and non-flint during the first week of excavation.
David Budge takes us through some of the finds, both flint and non-flint during the first week of excavation.
Photographer: Andrzej Jablonski
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys, tells us about the geology that led to the formation of 'Little Matlock Gorge' at Bradgate Park. This area was home to hunter gatherers of the Late Upper Palaeolithic who returned to Britain at the end of the Devensian Ice Age almost 15,000 years ago.
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys, tells us about the geology that led to the formation of 'Little Matlock Gorge' at Bradgate Park. This area was home to hunter gatherers of the Late Upper Palaeolithic who returned to Britain at the end of the Devensian Ice Age almost 15,000 years ago.
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys reveals evidence of the last ice age at Bradgate Park hidden within the eroded bank of the River Lin.
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys reveals evidence of the last ice age at Bradgate Park hidden within the eroded bank of the River Lin.
A more detailed description of the stream section is given in the diagram below.
A more detailed description of the stream section is given in the diagram below.
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys, points out where a meander of the River Lin has exposed the structure of the park pale dating to 13th to 15th century.
Colin Baker, Geologist for Ice Age Journeys, points out where a meander of the River Lin has exposed the structure of the park pale dating to 13th to 15th century.
Colin describes slickenside formation resulting from faulting in the rocks that form Little Matlock Gorge. The Gorge may date back as far as the Silurian period at the Caledonian orogeny 440 million years ago when Britain was part of Gondwana in the southern hemisphere.
Colin describes slickenside formation resulting from faulting in the rocks that form Little Matlock Gorge. The Gorge may date back as far as the Silurian period at the Caledonian orogeny 440 million years ago when Britain was part of Gondwana in the southern hemisphere.
Please see Colin's figures at the end of this page which elaborate on how the Gorge was formed.
Please see Colin's figures at the end of this page which elaborate on how the Gorge was formed.
Credit: Ian Ross
Photogrammetry to record test pits
Photogrammetry to record test pits
Alternatively, watch the video. Use settings to double the playback speed. This test pit exhibits diorite, a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that formed when magma cooled slowly underground around 560 million years ago. Diorite has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale, making it slightly softer than granite. The large stone has split due to extreme cold during the Last Glacial Maximum, ~20,000 years ago when Bradgate Park was a tundral landscape. One human worked, flint flake was recovered.
Alternatively, watch the video. Use settings to double the playback speed. This test pit exhibits diorite, a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that formed when magma cooled slowly underground around 560 million years ago. Diorite has a hardness of 5-6 on the Mohs scale, making it slightly softer than granite. The large stone has split due to extreme cold during the Last Glacial Maximum, ~20,000 years ago when Bradgate Park was a tundral landscape. One human worked, flint flake was recovered.
Simon Chenery of the British Geological Survey explains how analysing the elements in worked flint help to identify its source.
Simon Chenery of the British Geological Survey explains how analysing the elements in worked flint help to identify its source.
Two volunteers on this 2025 dig tell us something about themselves.
Two volunteers on this 2025 dig tell us something about themselves.
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