Hats off to Linda Wilson, a partner at Wards in Bristol, who - together with Graham Mullan, a fellow member of the University of Bristol Spelaeological Society (that's the scientific study of caves) - has discovered engravings in a cave in Cheddar Gorge that may be at least 10,000 years old.

The engravings, found in a cave known as the Long Hole, have provisionally been ascribed to the Mesolithic (or Middle Stone Age). 'On stylistic grounds, we believe these engravings are from the Mesolithic, rather than the Palaeolithic era because... such abstract designs are more characteristic of that period,' according to the law's answer to Tony Robinson of 'Time Team'.


Although the marks look - to Obiter's admittedly untrained eye - like those a bored school pupil might make on their desk with a compass, the find is a notable achievement nonetheless.


Even the British Museum's department of prehistory and Europe is excited, with deputy keeper Jill Cook saying the 'excellent' discovery 'will help to breathe new life into research on this period'.