Cefn Caves are a group of four interlinked caves in the limestone cliffs of the
Elwy valley, north of
Denbigh, in Denbighshire, North Wales. Early excavations found both human and animal remains dating back to the
Paleolithic period. The cave network is a
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change.
The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage and d ...
.
The network of caves was first excavated in the 1830s by the Rev E. Stanley, finding fragments of stone tools along with numerous animal bones which had been laid down over a wide period, probably accumulated in the caves by water action.
The 'Old Cave' passage is a remnant of a former underground course of the
River Elwy
The River Elwy (''Afon Elwy'' in Welsh) is a river in Wales forming a tributary to the River Clwyd. The source of the river is sometimes said to be on the northern flank of Moel Seisiog, south-east of Llanrwst, at Ordnance Survey grid referenc ...
, eroded through the limestone and then left behind by the continued downcutting of the gorge. The cave complex is used for caving activities by a nearby outdoor activity centre.
See also
*
List of scheduled monuments in Denbighshire
References
{{reflist
Caves of Wales
Archaeological sites in Denbighshire
Scheduled monuments in Denbighshire