Woolly mammoth skull on public display (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Woolly mammoth skull on public display

A PREHISTORIC woolly mammoth skull is on public display for the first time in the Cotswold Water Park.

The skull, which was unveiled by local school children at a special ceremony on Monday is between 25,000 and 30,000 years old, and was discovered in a quarry in January by palaeontologist Dr Neville Hollingworth during one of his regular digs in the area.

Since then it has undergone preservation work and has also been the subject of some contention between fossil owners: Moreton C Cullimore, the Cotswold Water Park Society and scientists eager to continue their investigations.

Dr Hollingworth, who lives in Cricklade, is a science programmes officer for Swindon based Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

He said: "There has been some issues with the loan agreement over the last few months but I understand these have been resolved pretty well.

"My wish was that it could be put on display locally and this is the best place for it."

Chief executive Tim Pain said: "In the past exhibits of this rarity would have always gone to London or one of the major cities so we are thrilled it is on display at the gateway centre.

"It is a truly amazing sight, the mammoth skull is so big and heavy it takes four strong men to lift it.

"Small boys will love it, as it is breathtakingly ugly to look at."

Ashton Keynes school pupil Tom Bainbridge, aged ten, said: "It's really big and so old, it looks like it's going to fall apart.

"I'm going to tell my friends to come."

Research already undertaken has shown that the skull is that of a female who died at the age of 42.

The ancient relic was unveiled at the new multi-million pound Gateway Centre by pupils from Ann Edwards Primary School in South Cerney and Ashton Keynes Primary School.

It is only the second skull of its kind to be discovered in Britain and measures about a metre by a metre-and-a-half, weighs 80 kgs and still contains some teeth.

o A special three-dimensional art installation was also unveiled at the centre on Monday.

Artist Cathy Miles won the £4,000 first prize in a national competition last year to create a piece of public artwork for the centre.

Made from stainless steel and copper it spans three two-metre by one metre panels, and depicts the wildfowl and habit of the water park.