Decorations in Golden Chamber.
Tim's Report of Discoveries in 2004
On the 29th August Peat Bennett and Tim Francis broke through at the dig in the Red Room boulder choke and found a new chamber. It was quite small but extremely well decorated: a sloping flowstone floor, straws in the roof, delicate crystals on a ledge on the left. It was definitely past the boulder choke as the walls were solid, presumably in the fault. It was quite a relief really as it had taken 19 years of digging to get through the choke but only six trips were made to this particular spot. So the extension wasn't large but extremely significant. Digging at the end of Upper Flood has never been popular as you are soaked to the skin by the ducks just before you arrive. Coupled with a nice cold draft and volunteers were thin on the ground, especially in the winter.
The way on was not obvious at this stage. There could be a way through boulders in the floor or perhaps straight ahead through the sediment bank. Water levels were very low so the team couldn't check whether the streamway could be heard or not. It did draught but work was concentrated on taping and photographing before carrying on. The route into the chamber was desperately tight but the floor was made of mud which is easily enlarged. Spoil removal was expected to be arduous, as it would have to be man-handled back through the boulder choke and into the Red Room.
The extension was named "Golden Chamber" in honour the MCG's 50th anniversary in 2004.
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Decorations in Golden Chamber. |
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Updated 07-11-06