Underground archaeology : studies on human bones and artefacts from Ireland's caves / edited by Marion Dowd.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Dowd, Marion, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Landscape archaeology.

Social archaeology.

Material culture.

Human remains (Archaeology).

Ireland--Antiquities.

Ireland.

Antiquities.

Caves--Ireland.

Caves.

Human remains (Archaeology)--Ireland.

Material culture--Ireland.

Excavations (Archaeology)--Ireland.

Excavations (Archaeology).

Social archaeology--Ireland.

Landscape archaeology--Ireland.

Physical Description:

xvi, 191 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 29 cm + 1 CD-ROM (4 3/4 in.)

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; Havertown, PA : Oxbow Books, 2016.

Summary:

"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"--Publisher description.

Contents of CD-ROM: Appendix 1. Human remains from 23 caves / Linda Fibiger; Appendix 2. Human remains from Dunmore Cave, County Kilkenny / Linda Lynch. Zonation method.

Contents:

Part I. Human remains

Osteoarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from Irish caves / Linda Fibiger

Osteoarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains from Dunmore Cave, Co. Kilkenny / Linda G. Lynch

Part II. Artefact assemblages

Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age lithics from Irish caves / Peter C. Woodman

Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery from Irish caves / Helen Roche

Polished stone axeheads from Irish caves / Stephen Mandal, Emmett O'Keeffe and Gabriel Cooney

Prehistoric perforated marine shells from Irish caves / Rory Connolly

Prehistoric perforated and worked animal teeth / Fiona Beglane

Late Bronze Age and Iron Age metalwork from Irish caves / Katharina Becker

Early medieval and medieval pottery from sea caves along the Antrim coast / Alison Kyle

Early medieval shrine fragments from Park North Cave, Co. Cork and Kilgreany Cave, Co. Waterford / Griffin Murray

Viking-age artefacts from Irish caves / John Sheehan

Part III. Site-specific artefact reports

Stone rings from Robber's Den, Co. Clare / Alison Sheridan

Medieval pottery from Carrigmurrish Cave, Co. Waterford / Clare McCutcheon

Late seventeenth century material from Kilgreany Cave, Co. Waterford / Clare McCutcheon

Coarse stone objects from Ballynamintra Cave, Co. Waterford / Stephen Mandal.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Other Format:

Online version: Underground archaeology

ISBN:

9781785703515

178570351X

OCLC:

962025722