A heritage group has expressed an interest to ensure the skeleton remains of a warrior are moved away from Oxford. 

The 'Red Lady' of Paviland was found in a cave in Gower, Wales, back in 1823 but has been at the university for the last 200 years.

It was Geology professor William Buckland who initially found the skeleton but the academic immediately transported it back with him to the Museum of Natural History. 

After two centuries of being away from the spot where it was found, a heritage group has publicly expressed an interest in bringing the warrior skeleton 200 miles home.

However, a spokeswoman for the museum said the group has not been in direct contact with them. 

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The skeleton was found in Gower but is currently in Oxford.The skeleton was found in Gower but is currently in Oxford. (Image: Wales News Service)

Gower Unearthed, a community interest company, believes that the remains should be repatriated to Wales and has been campaigning for this.

The skeleton garnered its name of The Red Lady from Professor Buckland due to it being covered in red ochre which is a naturally occurring iron oxide.

Initially presumed by the Oxford academic to be a Roman prostitute or witch, further investigation revealed that the skeleton was actually a male Ice Age hunter.

The body dates back to around 33,000 years ago making the burial site the earliest known ceremonial grave in Northern Europe.

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The Gower cave in which the skeleton was found.The Gower cave in which the skeleton was found. (Image: Wales News Service)

Andrew Price, of Gower Unearthed, said: “His tribe, the people who buried that man on Gower, buried him here because this was the place he died and a significant place to them.

“He was buried with a purpose - they wanted him to remain on Gower and that was the place they had chosen to bury him.

“I feel that the bones (should) be as close as possible to Paviland, which would hopefully mean Swansea itself.”

The now famous burial site also had a mammoth skull which helped highlighted the true nature of the site rather than the initial Roman assumption.

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The University of Oxford.The University of Oxford. (Image: Pexels)

Founder of Gower Unearthed Helen Nicholas and her best friend Sally Munro are both aiming to raise awareness of their campaign to return the skeleton to Wales.

They will run from Oxford University Museum all the way to where the skeleton was discovered in Goat Hole Cave, Paviland.

A 200-mile journey in total, the endeavour will last approximately a full marathon a day on average which lasts for a total of six days.

Ms Nicholas said: “This run isn't just about us.

“It's about coming together as a community to celebrate and honour this incredible part of our heritage.”

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The Oxford Mail approached the Museum of Natural History for a response and further information.

A University of Oxford Museums spokesperson said: “The Museum of Natural History currently displays a cast of the ‘Red Lady’ of Paviland.

“The actual human remains are not on display.

 “University of Oxford museums follow clear guidelines on human remains which include procedures for legitimate claims for the return of human remains to source communities.

“The ‘Red Lady’ of Paviland is not currently subject to a claim for return.”

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