Gardeners' World (1968)
S08E08 The Bone Caves - Alveston, Gloucestershire
Episode Overview
In a narrow cave, a collection of bones has been uncovered, including those of cows, dogs, and a human skull, all dating back to the late Iron Age Celts. Local archaeologist Mark Horton is eager to determine if this site served a ritual purpose or if it was merely a dump. To investigate, Carenza joins a team of cavers tasked with removing and sorting through the mud. Meanwhile, bone specialists Andy Currant and Margaret Cox analyze the initial findings, revealing that one female skull bears signs of a violent death, while another elderly female shows signs of Paget's disease. The abundance of dog bones suggests the presence of an ancient dog cult, as noted by Richard Massey from English Heritage. Archaeometallurgist Andrew Lacey creates a bronze model of a dog, designed by Victor. Despite promising geophysical readings, the initial surface digs yield no archaeological evidence. In the lab, Margaret and Andy stumble upon a chilling revelation, leading Celtic expert Miranda Aldhouse-Green to
