Mammoth 2.0 - An Excavation in the Cotswold Water Park

In 2023, the Natural Sciences Museum took a leading role in funding a vital excavation to rescue rare mammoth remains uncovered near Swindon, a site at risk due to nearby land redevelopment. This excavation, led by Neo Jurassica and supported by the museum, uncovered a treasure trove of prehistoric fossils, including the remarkable discovery of dwarf steppe mammoth remains—an exciting find that has transformed our understanding of British mammoths. The discovery of these smaller mammoths, once thought to be confined to the Siberian region, now suggests that such creatures may have once roamed across a larger range in Britain during the Ice Age. On the very first day of excavation, the museum’s chairman discovered a dwarf steppe mammoth tooth, marking the beginning of a two-week excavation that would yield significant new insights.

The excavation was made possible thanks to the support of the Natural Sciences Museum, which funded all aspects of the project, from excavation supplies and materials to full catering for the over 40 personnel involved. The team, a mix of archaeologists and palaeontologists, worked tirelessly alongside interns from the museum’s internship scheme, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the field. The museum’s funding also ensured the presence of an on-site conservation unit, allowing for the careful preservation and immediate treatment of the bones as they were unearthed. This thorough approach allowed for the bones, which included not only the dwarf steppe mammoths but also other prehistoric remains, to be carefully documented and preserved for future scientific study.

The excavation was part of a wider effort to rescue the remains from being lost to redevelopment,. Previously, excavations on the site had been documented in the highly commended Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard documentary. Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the film highlighted the critical work of the excavation team and the fascinating discoveries made at the site, including the role of the Hollingworth family, who originally discovered the site and alerted the authorities to its significance. However, after the documentary excavation work halted on the important site and the Hollingworth's reached out to the museum for help, and the Natural Sciences Museum agreed to fund a further excavation.

Thanks to the museum’s involvement, this important excavation provided new insights into the species that once inhabited Britain. The dwarf steppe mammoth, in particular, is a game-changing find, reshaping our understanding of how different mammoth species adapted to the diverse environments of Ice Age Britain. By funding the excavation, the Natural Sciences Museum played an essential role in ensuring the preservation of these discoveries and advancing scientific research into the ancient creatures that once roamed the British Isles.  The mammoth remains will now be studied, adding new chapters to the story of Britain’s prehistoric past and providing a lasting contribution to palaeontology.