46947 nms caves leaflet.qxp layout 1 14/10/2014 08:53 page ... · on the archaeological potential...

on the archaeological potential of caves

Advice to the Public

46947 NMS Caves Leaflet.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2014 08:53

INTRODUCTIONNatural caves have been used by people ever since thefirst settlers arrived in Ireland some 10,000 years ago(8,000 BC) and have served a wide variety ofpurposes: as places of burial, for the performance ofritual, as habitations or shelter for long- and short-term periods, for storage and as hiding places.

The purpose of this leaflet is to inform the publicabout the archaeological potential of caves. Thearchaeology of caves increases our understanding ofthe nature and diversity of past societies on this island.In this way, we gain a deeper understanding ofourselves and the society in which we now live. Thisleaflet is intended as a practical guide aimed at thosewho have a specialist interest in caves, as well as forthe general public.

1. What is a cave?

A cave is any natural underground cavity in rock that isformed by the solvent and erosive action of water as itslowly travels downwards through joints, beddingplanes and fissures. Caves are most commonly foundin limestone because it is a soluble rock that is easilydissolved by the slightly acidic carbon dioxide

The Kesh Caves, Co. Sligo, were used for short-term occupationduring the early medieval period. Antiquarian excavations alsorevealed bones of extinct fauna including arctic lemming, wolf andbear (Ciarán Davis).


contained in surface water, particularly rainwater andtannic acid from bogs. Over thousands of years, thecontinuous flow of erosive water combined withgradual chemical erosion causes undergroundfissures and joints to slowly enlarge, eventuallydeveloping into cave chambers and passages. Theseare known as ‘true caves’.

Caves can also be created by physical erosion,typically along the coast where sea caves developwhen fissures in rock are enlarged by constant waveaction. Sea caves can form in any type of rock; theyoften have large entrances but are rarely deep orextensive. A small number of caves are formed bytectonic force and are a consequence of anygeological event that causes bodies of rock to moveapart (e.g. an earthquake). Caves are described aseither ‘relict’ or ‘active’. Relict (or fossil) caves arethose that have been abandoned by the river thatoriginally flowed through and formed them;approximately 50% of Irish caves fall into thiscategory. The remaining 50%, known as active caves,currently hold a river or water course. Caves arenatural geological features and should not beconfused with underground passages such assouterrains or mines which are constructed byhumans.

Dunmore Cave, Co. Kilkenny, a national monument open to thepublic. Large quantities of human bones and Viking periodobjects have been recovered from the cave since the 18th century(NMS).


At present there are 770 known caves recorded in theState. Almost all are found in carboniferous limestoneareas of the country, which accounts for approximately50% of the underlying geology of the island.Limestone is dominant in the centre and north of thecountry but is largely absent from much of thesouthwest, southeast, northeast and extreme west.Caves are not equally distributed across limestoneregions – in some areas they can be concealedbeneath other rock formations, sediments or bogs.Approximately 80% of caves occur in counties Clare,Leitrim, Galway, Cork and Sligo. The counties with thegreatest numbers of caves of known archaeologicalsignificance are, in order, Clare, Cork and Waterford.

3. When is a cave an archaeological monument?

Any cave with evidence that it was used by people in thepast can be considered an archaeological monument.This includes, but is not restricted to, any cave that:

2. How many caves are there and where arethey found?

These human bones from Knocknarea Cave K, Co. Sligo have beendated to 3,600-3,400 BC and represent one child and one or twoadults. Corpses appear to have been laid out in the cave and,following decomposition, the larger skeletal elements wereremoved to another location (Thorsten Kahlert).


l contains archaeological objects includinghuman bones

l contains animal bones relating to humanactivities

l has structural modifications (e.g. walls orpaving)

l has art (e.g. paintings, sculpture, engravings,carvings)

At least 70 caves, almost 10% of the overall knownnumber, are recorded and classified by the NationalMonuments Service as archaeological monuments.The number of caves of archaeological interestincreases annually as new discoveries are made. Withfew exceptions, all of these are relict or ‘dry’ caves.Active caves are rarely of archaeological importancebecause archaeological deposits would typically bewashed away by the underground river. Similarly,potholes (vertical caves) seldom containarchaeological deposits. Little research has beencarried out on sea caves but they were used forvarious purposes through time including short-termoccupation, smuggling and pirate activities.

4. Why protect our archaeological heritage?

Archaeologicalmonuments, sites andobjects areirreplaceableremnants of pastsocieties. They helpus better understandhow people in thepast lived – thetypes of housesthey constructed,the food they ate,their agriculturaltechniques, theirreligiouspractices, andmuch more.

A prehistoric polished stone axe from Ballynamintra Cave, Co.Waterford, found during antiquarian excavations in 1879 (NMI).


5. What type of archaeological materialoccurs in Irish caves?

A broad range of archaeological material and objectshas been found in Ireland’s caves. The stableunderground environment provides excellentconditions for long-term preservation. Flint tools andhuman bones of Mesolithic date (8,000-4,000 BC)have been recovered from caves. Material of Neolithicdate (4,000-2,400 BC) from caves includes humanburials, stone axes and pottery vessels. Similar finds ofBronze Age date (2,400-600 BC) have been found, inaddition to bronze metalwork. The Iron Age (600 BC-400 AD) is poorly represented in Irish caveassemblages, though human bones and occasionalobjects are known from a small number of sites. Earlymedieval (400-1169 AD) finds from caves are relativelynumerous and include bone combs and needles,ringed pins (for fastening cloaks), spindle whorls (forspinning wool), iron knives, agricultural equipment andstructural features such as hearths, walls and floorpaving. Viking period objects such as coins, beads andiron objects are known from a few sites.Archaeological finds dating from the 12th century tothe present day are scarce, though pottery sherds andclay pipe fragments occasionally occur. Caves areusually multi-period sites; that is, the same cave wasused for different purposes at different timesthroughout its history.

This Viking period necklace, dated to the 10th century AD, was recoveredduring archaeological excavations in Glencurran Cave, Co. Clare. It appearsto have been concealed in the cave but never retrieved (Thorsten Kahlert).


6. How do I know if a cave is anarchaeological monument?

All known archaeological sites and monuments inthe State are listed on the National MonumentsService website: http://www.archaeology.ie/Click on: Archaeological Survey Database. You cansearch the database by county, townland, town orclass. Under ‘Class’, select ‘Cave’ and this will bringup a list of all known caves of archaeologicalsignificance. Detailed information accompaniesmost of the entries. Each cave of knownarchaeological significance has its own uniqueSites and Monuments Record number. Forexample, Moneen Cave, Co. Clare – where BronzeAge pottery and a medieval human skeleton werediscovered by cavers in 2011 – has been assignedthe number CL002-080----. As newarchaeological discoveries are made, they areadded to the database of monuments. In this way,cavers can make a very important contribution toenhancing our knowledge of the archaeologicalheritage.

Found by cavers in Moneen Cave, Co. Clare in 2011, this antlerhammerhead dates to c. 2,000 BC (Thorsten Kahlert).

7. What is the difference betweenpalaeontological and archaeologicaldiscoveries in caves?

Palaeontology is the study of natural life before theHolocene (a geological period that beganapproximately 11,500 years ago), prior to the arrival ofhumans to this island. Palaeontology differs from


archaeology in that it does not include the study ofmodern humans, whereas archaeology isspecifically the study of people in the past. Ireland’scaves are rich sources of palaeontological materialand bones of species now extinct such asmammoth, reindeer, Giant Irish Deer, bear, hyena,wolf, wild boar, arctic fox and arctic lemming. Whenbones are discovered in a cave, it is usually notpossible to determine whether they representpalaeontological finds, archaeological material orrecent animal fatalities. Only specialist analysis canresolve this. If you think that you have foundsomething that may be of archaeological orpalaeontological interest, please contact theNational Museum of Ireland for further guidance(contact details below).

In folklore, Diarmuid and Gráinne’s Cave, Co. Sligo is said to havesheltered the couple while they were fleeing from Fionn MacCumhaill. Excavations in the 19th century led to the recovery of abronze axe and animal bones in the cave sediments (CiaránDavis).

8. Who makes archaeological discoveries in caves?

Caves are difficult and challenging environmentsand many can only be explored by experiencedcavers. It comes as no surprise, therefore, thatsince the 1930s the vast majority ofarchaeological discoveries in caves have beenmade by members of the caving community.However, landowners, members of the public andarchaeologists occasionally find archaeologicalmaterial in caves.


9. Can I dig in a cave where there are knownarchaeological remains?

A routine activity in the exploration of caves bycavers is digging through cave deposits in an attemptto discover new underground passages andchambers (this is called ‘pushing’ a cave). Typicallythis takes place in the deepest parts of caves,whereas archaeological material is usually (but notalways) found within 100m of cave entrances. As ageneral guide, no digging or excavation should takeplace in a cave of archaeological significance within20m of the known extent of archaeological remainsin that cave. The extent of archaeological remainscan vary from cave to cave and advice should besought from the National Monuments Service whenoperating in a cave of known archaeologicalsignificance.

Archaeological excavations in Glencurran Cave, Co. Clare revealedthat the site had been a focus for religious activities fromapproximately 1,400–500 BC (Crossing the Line Films).

10. What should I do if I find archaeologicalmaterial (e.g. bones, objects orstructures) in a cave?

1. Do not remove or disturb the find – this is importantto ensure compliance with legal requirements.


2. Take photographs, draw what can be seen, andrecord as much information as possible. Thismight include, for example, a description of thetype of material, size and shape etc. Goodphotographs are particularly useful indetermining whether features or material arearchaeological.

3. Mark the approximate location of the find on adrawing or survey of the cave.

4. Report the find to the National Museum ofIreland within 96 hours – this is important toensure compliance with legal requirements.

5. Inform the National Monuments Service.

On very rare occasions archaeological material in acave may be under imminent threat of destruction;for example, where the cave is flooded and it is likelyan object could be washed away. In this instance,follow steps 1-3 above, then carefully remove theobject or bones and place in a secure container.Contact the National Museum of Ireland and theNational Monuments Service immediately.

This bowl, dating to c. 3,500 BC, together with the burials ofseveral adult males, was found in the course of limestonequarrying at Annagh Cave, Co. Limerick (NMI).

11. Do I own archaeological material that Idiscover in a cave?

No. Archaeological objects found in the State whichhave no known owner at the time when they arefound are the property of the State.


12. Can I keep or sell archaeological objectsthat I discover in a cave?

No (see above). Rewards may be made to findersat the discretion of the Director of the NationalMuseum of Ireland, taking account of the type ofobject(s) found and the circumstances of discovery,including the co-operation of the finder inreporting and providing details of any objects thatare found.

An assemblage of flint microliths and a blade dating from c. 8,000–6,500 BC, from Killuragh Cave, Co. Limerick. The artefacts wereassociated with human bones and may represent votive offeringsplaced at the cave entrance by hunter-gatherer groups (NMI).

13. Where should I report the finding of anarchaeological object or material?

Under the terms of the National Monuments Acts1930 to 2004, anyone who finds an archaeologicalobject (in a cave or otherwise) is legally obliged toreport it to the National Museum of Ireland or adesignated county or city museum within 96hours.

The National Museum of Ireland can be contacted as follows:

Tel.: 01-6777444Email: [email protected]

Website: www.museum.ie


14. What will happen to a cave if I report anarchaeological discovery? Will it begated?

Reports of archaeological discoveries in caves aretreated on a case-by-case basis. The cave inquestion may be inspected by a qualifiedarchaeologist to make an assessment. In Ireland it isextremely rare to gate a cave for archaeologicalreasons. At present, only one cave is gated toprotect archaeological deposits.

Perforated wolf tooth from Glencurran Cave, probably dating toc. 1,000-600 BC. This pendant may have been worn by someonewho was buried in the cave (Thorsten Kahlert).

15. What legal requirements do I need to beaware of regarding archaeology andcaves?

A cave with known archaeological remains may beprotected under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to2004 in a number of ways. Work at a monumentprotected under the terms of the Acts may requireprior notification or consent. Finders of archaeologicalobjects must report them to the National Museum ofIreland within 96 hours.

It is illegal to be in possession of a metal detectiondevice at archaeological sites and monuments


(including caves) protected under the NationalMonuments Acts. It is also illegal to use a detectiondevice to search for archaeological objects anywherein the State or its territorial seas without the priorwritten consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage andthe Gaeltacht.

It is illegal to excavate for an archaeological purposewithout a licence issued by the Minister.

This document is intended only as a general guide togood practice and to draw attention to key provisionsof the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. It isnot intended as a legal interpretation of those Acts.The full text of the National Monuments Acts 1930 to2004, and legislation relating to the discovery andreporting of archaeological objects, is available atwww.irishstatutebook.ie.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Marion Dowd, I.T. Sligo is gratefully acknowledgedfor her input and overall contribution to thecompilation of this document. The co-operation andsupport of the Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) isalso acknowledged. Photographs are credited underimages shown. Cover design is by Conor McHale.

Robber's DenCave, Co.Clare: in 1989caversdiscoveredthe burial of awomandating to c. 600 BC atthis site (Colin Bunce).


National Monuments ServiceDepartment of Arts,

Heritage and the GaeltachtCustom House

Dublin 1Email: [email protected]

Tel.: 01-8882169Website: www.archaeology.ie

u

The Duty OfficerIrish Antiquities Division

National Museum of IrelandKildare Street

Dublin 2Email: [email protected]

Tel: 01-6777444Website: www.museum.ie

u

The Speleological Union of Irelandwww.caving.ie

October 2014

CONTACT DETAILS:


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