Shell Grotto, Margate
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The Shell Grotto off Grotto Hill, Margate, consists of a winding subterranean passageway, about 8ft high and 70ft in length, terminating in a rectangular room (the altar chamber) approximately 15ft by 20ft. Close to its half way point, the passageway divides to pass around a massive circular column called the rotunda. Almost all the surface area of the walls and roof is covered in mosaics created entirely of seashells, totalling about 2,000 square feet of mosaic, or 4.6 million shells.
The purpose of the structure is unknown, and various theories have dated its construction to any time in the past 1,000 years, and speculated possibilities of the builders include the Knights Templar. The shells are all local, but some of the designs suggest associations with India and Egypt. The official guide suggests a subject for many of the mosaic panels, such as a skeleton, crocodile, owl, or turtle, but the abstract nature of the designs make these suggestions rather subjective.
The grotto was discovered in 1835 by James Newlove, who broke through into its roof while digging a duck-pond. The story goes that he lowered his son down into the hole on a rope, but another story suggests that his children had played in the grotto for some time before its discovery was announced. It was illuminated by gas lamps and opened to the public in 1837, and has remained in private ownership ever since.
The age of the structure is uncertain and will probably never be known because of carbon deposits from victorian lamps which were used to illuminate the grotto in the 1800's. The deposits have entered the shells rendering radiocarbon dating useless. Trying to analyse the mortar proved equally futile, it has so far defied analysis and all that scientists can acertain is that the glue attaching the shells to the walls is "fish-based".
Unfortunately, the victorian gas lighting has blackened the fragile surface of the once-colourful shells, which are also under attack from water penetration. It is now illuminated by electricity. During World War II the east wall of the so-called altar chamber was destroyed by a bomb.
The grotto is open to the public and is a Grade I listed building. Attached to the grotto is a museum, gift shop, and cafe.
[edit] Bibliography
- The Grotto, Howard Bridgewater, Fourth Edition, Truprint Litho Ltd, 1957
- The Shell Temple, Ruby Haslam, Regency Press, 1974
- The Subterranean Kingdom, Nigel Pennick, Turnstone, 1981, ISBN 0855001402
- Shell Houses and Grottoes, Hazelle Jackson, Shire Publications, 2001, ISBN 0747805229
