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50,000-year-old woolly rhino skull discovered in Somerset cave put on display
Overview
A rare 50,000-year-old woolly rhino skull, discovered at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills in Somerset in 2025, has been placed on public display at the Wells and Mendip Museum. Experts believe the animal was around 40 years old and died after falling into the crevasse where it was found. Researchers are studying the remains to understand past ecosystems, climate change impacts, and extinction patterns to help inform modern nature restoration initiatives.
Key points
- A woolly rhino skull dating back approximately 50,000 years has been put on display at the Wells and Mendip Museum in Somerset.
- The remains, along with other skeletal parts, were discovered in 2025 at Fairy Cave Quarry on the Mendip Hills by cave archaeologist Vince Simmonds.
- Palaeoecologist Professor Danielle Schreve noted that studying the woolly rhino provides insights into ancient landscapes and responses to climate change.
- Researchers believe the rhino was roughly 40 years old when it died after falling into the crevasse where its remains were preserved.
- Museum curator David Walker described the rare discovery as 'absolutely incredible' and 'very unusual'.