An exciting new exhibition delving into the fascinating history of Ice Age animals has opened to the public on Royal Holloway’s Egham campus.

The Cave Hunters and the Truth Machine has been developed by artist and animator Sean Harris and Royal Holloway palaeontologist and climate scientist, Professor Danielle Schreve.

The exhibition explains how the discovery of Ice Age animal fossils from the 18th century to the present day has informed us about climate and environmental change, evolution, and how animal communities respond to change.

The exhibition is the result of work by Professor Schreve, during her excavation of Gully Cave in Somerset’s Mendip Hills. Her findings of the remains of Ice Age animals may help to predict future impacts of the climate and biodiversity crises.

Visual artist and filmmaker Sean Harris uses animation to explore Professor Schreve’s work and bring the stories to life.

The pair were joined by historian and author, Karolyn Shindler for a public lecture on 16 May where attendees were treated to an in-conversation session between the trio, focusing on the collaboration behind the exhibition.

This was followed by local pupils from St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School coming onto campus and exploring and interacting with the exhibition, with Professor Danielle Shreve and Sean Harris visiting the school as part of a session themed around the exhibition.

During the session, pupils created lanterns that formed part of a light projection, which was showcased on the roof terrace of the Emily Wilding Davison Building.

Cave Hunters and the Truth Machine is free to attend and will run from 17 April to 28 July. Visitors can find the event in the Exhibition Space in the Emily Wilding Davison Building on Royal Holloway’s Egham campus.

Professor Danielle Schreve, from the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, said: “Being able to bring the science and art together in this unique collaboration has been really special.

“There is so much we can learn from past ecosystems in terms of understanding responses and resilience to current and future climate change, so it’s a great way to engage people.”