The carvings have stunned and baffled people for centuries (Picture: SWNS.com)
In 1742, a small boy stood at the edge of a narrow opening in the ground, which had been opened up by accident in the middle of Royston.
A workman fitting a bench at a butter market in the the Hertfordshire town had come across a millstone which, when removed, uncovered what appeared to be a well with toeholds on the side.
It was just wide enough for a child to climb down – hence the small boy.
Nobody knew what he would find down there, but the expectation was that there would be treasure. Perhaps a lot of it.
The actual contents of the shaft – or full cave, as it turned out to be – was a true treasure, though not in the sense that the townsfolk might have thought.
Once a hefty amount of soil was heaved out, something extraordinary was revealed: masses of intricate carvings covering the walls, representing humans, animals and full historic scenes.
Some were recognisable as saints. St Christopher, the patron saint of safe travels, was there, as was St Katherine, who was martyred at the age of 18.
One panel appeared to depict the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while another showed a man thought to be the biblical King David with upraised hands.
Christ on the cross can be seen in one part of the cave (Picture: SWNS.com)
A figure with his arms in the air is thought to be King David (Picture: roystoncave.co.uk/SWNS)
Non-Christian carvings are there too, such as a horse and an Earth Goddess.
But despite the fact it was revealed to the public almost three centuries ago, the reason for its existence remains one of the UK’s most beguiling mysteries.
The site’s official web page says: ‘Royston Cave remains an enigma. No records of its age or purpose exist.
‘Its origin has baffled visitors and historians alike for centuries.’
The people are carved into walls made of chalk (Picture: roystoncave.co.uk/SWNS)
A new tunnel entrance was constructed in 1790 (Picture: Facebook)
Some believe it may have been built by the Knights Templar, a military order of monks founded in the 12th century who could have used it as a secret place of worship.
However, others say it may have been a Freemason’s Lodge used by King James I, or a source of energy from the Earth produced by intersecting Ley lines.
Although nothing about its creation is known for certain, analysis of the crowns, costumes and swords shown in the wall reliefs suggests it dates from around the mid-1300s.
Curious members of the public can still visit the site (Picture: roystoncave.co.uk/SWNS)
Whatever its origins and purposes, the sight of the eight-metre-tall chamber lit up with a single lamp has made visitors’ jaws drop for hundreds of years.
Those keen to view the carvings for themselves are in luck.
The Royston Cave can still be visited – people are able to enter the site between April 6 and September 29, with four tours per day.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.