This book brings together a series of ground-breaking studies on human bones and artefacts recovered from Irish caves principally between 1870 and 1990. Until now these assemblages had either been completely neglected or had not been examined with modern techniques. The 15 expert contributions presented here shine a light on the use and perception of caves at different times in the past, from the Early Mesolithic through to post-medieval times. The book opens with osteoarchaeological analyses of human bones from 24 caves, revealing complex and varied funerary practices and rituals. Shell beads and animal tooth pendants provide insight into the status of those whose skeletal remains were placed in caves. Studies on lithics, stone axes and prehistoric pottery highlight the changing roles of caves as places for shelter, occupation, burial and ritual practices during the Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age. An examination of the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age metalwork contributes to wider evidence of votive deposition at natural places in the landscape. Several chapters focus on the wealth of early medieval and Viking-age activities, drawing on pottery assemblages from caves along the north coast, to ecclesiastical shrine fragments from sites in the south, as well as Viking material from a growing number of caves. These studies will be of interest to osteoarchaeologists; to those who specialise in particular archaeological periods; to museumologists and artefact specialists; to cave archaeologists; and to everyone interested in Ireland’s past.Table of ContentsList of figureList of platesList of tablesIntroduction and acknowledgementsMarion DowdPART I: HUMAN REMAINS1. Osteoarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from 23 Irish caves Linda Fibiger2. Osteoarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from Dunmore Cave, Co. KilkennyLinda G. Lynch PART II: ARTEFACT ASSEMBLAGES3. Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age lithics from Irish caves Peter C. Woodman 4. Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery from Irish caves Helen Roche5. Polished stone axeheads from Irish caves Stephen Mandal, Emmett O’Keeffe and Gabriel Cooney6. Prehistoric perforated marine shells from Irish caves Rory Connolly 7. Prehistoric perforated and worked animal teeth from Irish caves Fiona Beglane8. Late Bronze Age and Iron Age metalwork from Irish caves Katharina Becker 9. Early medieval and medieval pottery from sea caves along the Antrim coast Alison Kyle10. Early medieval shrine fragments from Park North Cave, Co. Cork and Kilgreany Cave, Co. WaterfordGriffin Murray11. Viking-age artefacts from Irish caves John SheehanPART III: SITE-SPECIFIC ARTEFACT REPORTS12. Stone rings from Robber’s Den, Co. Clare Alison Sheridan13. Medieval pottery from Carrigmurrish Cave, Co. Waterford Clare McCutcheon14. Late seventeenth century material from Kilgreany Cave, Co. Waterford Clare McCutcheon15. Coarse stone objects from Ballynamintra Cave, Co. Waterford Stephen Mandal