Bolsover Rotary welcomed Sara Lee to our meeting on 14 January 2026. Sara is the Learning Manager at Creswell Crags, an extraordinary archaeological pearl near Worksop.
We were treated to a most thrilling and enthusiastic look into our human and animal development over millions of years….. did you know that the UK was joined to France, the USA was attached to Africa? Then the tectonic plates (now submerged under oceans and seas) separated and linked to melting from the ice age caused the countries we know now to be many miles apart.
The first Neanderthals arrived at Cresswell Crags over 30 thousand years ago, and the first Homo-Sapiens came in the Upper Palaeolithic period.
At that time the people followed the animals which they hunted through their migration from the hot summer climates of southern Europe to Cresswell.
Who would have thought that wooly mammoth once roamed the unspoilt woods of Creswell. You can see a brief video by Creswell Crags here. Excavations at the site have unearthed stone tools, animal bones and other evidence of human habitation. It is recognised as one of the most important archeaological sites in Europe.
If you ever get the chance to visit Creswell Crags, you can walk in the footsteps of the earliest humans, and marvel at the wonderful cave art still visible in the caves. It is a wonderful way to learn and see some of the real artefacts on show. They now have a delicious Ice Cream Parlour too!
Our club members were so interested in Sara’s information they had many many questions. A fantastic experience enjoyed by all.