Archaeologists are set to embark on a deeper exploration of a “truly remarkable” Welsh cave that was once home to a hippopotamus that roamed the country 120,000 years ago.
This significant site also holds compelling evidence of early prehistoric human activity.
The University of Aberdeen has secured funding to spearhead a five-year investigation into Wogan Cavern, located beneath Pembroke Castle.
The enormous cave, accessible via a spiral staircase, was previously believed to have been largely excavated by Victorians, leading to assumptions that little archaeological material remained.
However, small-scale excavations conducted between 2021 and 2024 have unearthed abundant evidence of both human and animal visits spanning over 100,000 years.
Crucially, much of Wogan Cavern’s ancient sediments have been found to be intact.
Researchers now state that these discoveries mean the cave is rapidly emerging as one of the most important prehistoric archives in Britain. Dr Rob Dinnis, who directed the initial excavations, will lead the ambitious project for the University of Aberdeen.
“Despite the limited work done so far, we can already say that Wogan Cavern is a truly remarkable site,” he said.
“Not only is there extremely rare evidence for early Homo sapiens, there are also hints at even earlier human occupation, probably by Neanderthals.
“There is no other site like it in Britain – it is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime discovery.
“With this new project we can learn a great deal about our early prehistoric forebears, about how they lived and what their worlds looked like.”
The researchers said larger scale excavations could provide insights into past climate change, extinct species, and the multiple periods when humans called the cave their home.
Dr Dinnis continued: “We are optimistic that the cave can chart a long sequence of human activity, from hunter-gatherers living there immediately after the last Ice Age around 11,500 years ago, back to Britain’s earliest Homo sapiens between 45,000 and 35,000 years ago, and maybe also earlier traces likely left by Neanderthals.
“We have also found hippo bones, which probably date to the last interglacial period, around 120,000 years ago.
“The site could therefore tell us about how multiple changes in climate and environment affected people living there over 100,000 years or more.”
The project, which is funded by the Calleva Foundation, will see researchers from the University of Aberdeen join forces with other leading specialists across Britain and Europe.
Professor Kate Britton, a specialist in science-based archaeology at the University of Aberdeen, said: “Wogan Cavern provides a unique chance to use all the scientific techniques now available to archaeologists.
“Because the bones are well preserved, we can learn a lot about past environments and ecosystems, and do high-resolution scientific dating. Furthermore, pilot studies have shown that ancient DNA is preserved, in both the bones and the cave sediments.
The project’s team of specialists are excited to learn as much as possible about the cave and its early inhabitants – animal and human – in the coming years.”
For Pembroke Castle – the birthplace of Henry Tudor and already a popular tourist attraction – the project begins a new and exciting chapter in its storied history.
Dr Jonquil Mogg, the newly appointed collections manager at the castle, said: “Pembroke Castle has long been a very important part of Welsh and British history.
“Wogan Cavern has the potential to also establish it as a place of huge significance to British archaeology.”
Castle manager Jon Williams described the news as “incredibly exciting”.
“We have watched with great interest as Wogan Cavern has started to reveal its secrets – it’s very different from the medieval history we usually deal with at the castle.
“We are thrilled that work on this wonderful cave will continue – we very much look forward to working more with Rob and his team, and securing the collection for the people of Pembroke, Wales and beyond.”
New excavations are scheduled to begin at the end of May.