Cave reveals 10,000-year-old art

Scientists say the designs are characteristic of the Mesolithic era

Engravings dating back 10,000 years have been found in caves in Somerset.

Members of the University of Bristol Speleological Society made the discovery in Long Hole, Cheddar Gorge.

The new findings complement what is believed to be a Mesolithic engraving uncovered at Aveline's Hole in nearby Burrington Combe, last February.

The three new engravings are thought to date back to the same period. Long Hole is immediately above Gough's Cave, the major show cave in the gorge.

Team leader Graham Mullan said: "On stylistic grounds, we have attributed these engravings to the Mesolithic era because, as in the case in Aveline's Hole, such abstract designs are more characteristic of that period.

"Although abstract designs are found in the Palaeolithic, they are almost always in conjunction with representational art."