Oldbury rock shelters facts for kids
The southern rock shelter
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 Location in the United Kingdom
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| Location | Oldbury hillfort near Ightham |
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| Region | Kent |
| Coordinates | 51°17′9.8″N 0°16′9.6″E / 51.286056°N 0.269333°E |
| History | |
| Periods | Middle Palaeolithic |
| Cultures | Mousterian |
The Oldbury rock shelters are a group of ancient caves and overhangs. They are found on the slopes of Oldbury hillfort near Ightham in Kent, England.
These shelters were used by people during the Middle Palaeolithic period. This was a long time ago, about 50,000 years back. These early humans were skilled at making tools from flint.
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What are the Oldbury Rock Shelters?
The Oldbury rock shelters are natural caves and rocky overhangs. They are located on a large hill called Oldbury hillfort. This area was a good place for ancient people to live. It offered protection from the weather and animals.
The shelters are important because they show us how people lived many thousands of years ago. They give clues about their daily lives.
Who Lived at Oldbury?
Around 50,000 years ago, a group of people known as the Mousterian culture lived here. They were part of the Middle Palaeolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age. These people were hunter-gatherers. They used tools to hunt animals and gather plants for food.
They were very good at making tools. They used a type of stone called flint. Flint is very hard and can be shaped into sharp tools.
What Was Found Here?
Archaeologists have studied the Oldbury rock shelters for many years. They started digging in the 1800s and continued in the 1900s. During these digs, they found many interesting things.
The most important discoveries were flint tools. These tools were made by the Mousterian people. They found special types of handaxes. These handaxes are called bout-coupé handaxes. They have a unique shape. Finding these tools helps us understand how ancient people lived and worked.
The tools show that the people living here were skilled craftsmen. They knew how to work with stone to create useful items. These items helped them survive in their environment.
Visiting the Oldbury Rock Shelters
Today, the Oldbury rock shelters are open for everyone to visit. The National Trust owns and looks after the site. The National Trust is a charity that protects historic places and natural beauty spots.
Visiting the shelters is a great way to learn about ancient history. You can imagine what life was like for the people who lived there so long ago. It's a chance to see a real archaeological site.
