Research Catalog

Underground archaeology : studies on human bones and artefacts from Ireland's caves

Title: Underground archaeology : studies on human bones and artefacts from Ireland's caves / edited by Marion Dowd.
Publication: Oxford ; Philadelphia : Oxbow Books, 2016.

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Status	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Request for On-site Use Request Scan How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	Text	Use in library	DA920 .U53 2016	Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Dowd, Marion

Description

xvi, 191 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color); 29 cm +

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.

Subject

Bibliography (note)

Includes bibliographical references.

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.

ISBN

9781785703515
178570351X
9781785703522 (canceled/invalid)
9781785703539 (canceled/invalid)
9781785703546 (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

2016047739
40026905680

OCLC

ocn962025722
962025722
SCSB-1875625

Owning Institutions

Princeton University Library