William Pengelly geology human antiquity
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William Pengelly geology human antiquity
1881 William Pengelly (12 January 1812-16 March 1894). Walker and Boutall photoengravure after painting by A. S. Cope. Being a Frontispiece with later tinting to " A Memoire of William Pengelly" by his daughter Hester 1897. A self taught geologist, he was the first to excavate at Brixham cave in 1858. He accurately recorded layer by layer the chronology of deposits, and found flint implements and extinct mammal remains comingled in the same layers ( " men were amongst the mammoths ). The Geological Society overseer was Hugh Falconer. He saw the importance of these finds and later set up Evans and Prestwich to check the similar discounted reports of Boucher de Perthes in France. The result was a cascading and revolutionary new acceptance of human antiquity on both sides of the channel. Pengelly went on to supervise similar carefull work at Kents Cavern producing more pre-historic remains
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6317351
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
Archaeology Biface Boucher De Perthes Cave Falconer Flood Geologist Hand Axe Mammoth Neanderthal Pre History Stone Tools Stratigraphy Evans Flint Implements
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the renowned geologist, William Pengelly, whose groundbreaking discoveries revolutionized our understanding of human antiquity. Captured in a stunning painting by A. S. Cope and later transformed into a photoengravure by Walker and Boutall, this image serves as the frontispiece for "A Memoire of William Pengelly" written by his daughter Hester in 1897. Pengelly's remarkable journey began when he self-taught himself the intricacies of geology. In 1858, he embarked on an excavation at Brixham cave, meticulously recording layer after layer to establish an accurate chronology of deposits. Astonishingly, he unearthed flint implements and remains of extinct mammals intertwined within these layers, revealing that humans coexisted with mammoths during prehistoric times ("men were amongst the mammoths"). Recognizing the significance of these findings, Hugh Falconer from The Geological Society oversaw Pengelly's work and initiated further investigations alongside Evans and Prestwich to validate similar reports discounted by Boucher de Perthes in France. This collaboration led to a transformative shift in acknowledging human antiquity across both sides of the English Channel. Pengelly's contributions did not end there; he went on to supervise meticulous excavations at Kents Cavern where more prehistoric remnants were discovered. His unwavering dedication and scientific rigor paved the way for advancements in archaeology and stratigraphy. This extraordinary artwork captures not only Pengelly's pioneering spirit but also highlights key elements such as cave exploration, stone tools like hand axes or bifaces used by Neanderthals, flint implements found within various layers, and his significant impact on our understanding of human history.
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