This is a climb up in the new area of passages which led to the passage where the skull was found. This section of cave had been named 'Granny's Slippers' after the first team to explore here found the mud built up on their boots like a big pair of Granny slippers.
The human skull, which became affectionately known as Granny. From what I understand from a purely amateur viewpoint is that it is likely to be very old because the teeth appear worn down but with no sign of decay (indicating this person dates from a time before sugar was part of the European diet). The surveying compass was included for scale. The skull will be excavated by an archeologist in due course.
We found some other bones nearby. These do not appear to be all human (but I'm no expert). Certainly an animal jawbone (small mammal) and a skull (dog sized) were also present (but not visible in this photograph). They are partly calcited into the cave formations, indicating they have been here a very long time.
The photo above shows where the bones in the previous picture were found. They are among the formations on the passage floor in front of the caver. Another set of formations hang over the top, so the bones can't have fallen in from above. Either they were moved here by an animal, or were washed in when water flowed in this ancient passage.
This cave features an amazing variety of passage styles in a relatively short amount of cave. This passage is near the entrance of the cave. The new passages were found beyond the chamber discovered on the Easter expedition.
Just in case you thought it was all hard work. Some of the caving was very relaxing!
