In AD 2002, woolly mammoth remains were found by local collectors in a gravel quarry at Lynford (Norfolk). The remains were preserved in a river channel filled with organic mud. Associated with the mammoth bones and tusks were flint tools, including handaxes and scrapers.

Although there are no cut-marks on the bones, it seems likely that the flint tools were used to butcher the mammoth carcasses. Whether the mammoths died naturally by becoming stuck in the mud, or were hunted is not known. No limb bones were found at the site, which might indicate that these were specifically selected and taken elsewhere for their meat.

Beetles and other animals preserved at the site provide very precise evidence about the climate. It seems that average winter temperatures were -10˚C, while summer temperatures averaged at 13˚C. This, together with pollen from the site, shows that the humans inhabited a harsh, treeless landscape.

The site dates to the Middle Palaeolithic about 60,000 years ago. The humans in Europe at this time were Neanderthals, who were well-adapted to surviving in cool, open landscapes.