The discovery of Ice Age rock art in 2003 put Creswell Crags on the map as one of the world’s most significant prehistoric sites.

The 20th anniversary was marked by a variety of celebrations over a weekend in April with the support of local business Lhoist.

Among those at the event was Dr Paul Bahn, one of the team that discovered the art and relayed the story of the discovery to audiences throughout the weekend.

Lhoist provided funding to allow as many local people as possible to see the art. Church Hole, which is only normally open to the public through bookable cave tours, was available for people to drop in and ‘pay-what-they-could’. More than 400 people took advantage of the chance.

Lhoist staff and family members enjoy a cave tour to see the rock art with Creswell Crags learning manager Sarah Lee.

The Creswell Crags Learning Team helped families experience how archaeologists find out about life in the Ice Age with archaeological dig boxes. Children had a go at creating their own portable art.

As a lasting commemoration of the anniversary celebrations and to acknowledge the support of Lhoist, a wild cherry tree was planted in June by Adam Taylor, UK operations manager for Lhoist, and colleagues.

It is hoped the tree will blossom every year around the time of the anniversary, reminding people of the discovery.

To book cave tours and learn more about the museum and gorge, go to www.creswell-crags.org.uk

ABOVE: Adam Taylor, UK operations manager for Lhoist, and his colleagues and family join Creswell Crags director Paul Baker at the tree planting ceremony.