2013:336 - Knocknarea Cave K, Carrowbunnaun, Sligo

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Sligo Site name: Knocknarea Cave K, Carrowbunnaun

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SL014-288---- Licence number: 13E0427

Author: Marion Dowd

Site type: Cave

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 561957m, N 834939m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.261858, -8.583916

Knocknarea Cave K is one of 26 small caves located on and around Knocknarea Mountain, Co. Sligo. In 2001, Stefan Bergh discovered a human occipital fragment in Knocknarea Cave C which was subsequently radiocarbon dated to the Neolithic (Dowd 2008). Other than that, none of the Knocknarea caves were known to be of archaeological significance.

In 2013, T. Kahlert noticed human bones lying on the floor of Knocknarea Cave K, which is located some 50m from Knocknarea Cave C. In discussion with the National Monuments Service, a rescue excavation was deemed necessary to retrieve material that was vulnerable to destruction by human and animal traffic. The cave was surveyed and bones that were exposed on the cave floor were lifted over two days in November 2013. This project was funded under the NMS rescue budget.

Knocknarea Cave K comprises a narrow passage, orientated north-north-west/south-south-east, measuring 26m long x 0.8-1m wide x 0.5-1.5m high. Two small passages in the east wall connect it to a second passage 19m in length (Knocknarea Cave J). Overall, 13 human bones and 210 animal bones were retrieved from the floor of Cave K spread over a 5m stretch of cave passage. The human bone assemblage represents at least one adult (30-39 years old) and one child (4-6 years old). Three bones were direct dated by AMS and all returned Neolithic results. Two dates on adult bones suggest that there may be two adults, rather than one, represented by the human bone assemblage. Almost all the faunal remains are recent natural occurrences (e.g. rabbit, frog and mouse), though a small number may relate to human activities (cow and sheep). No artefacts were discovered, but a small fleck of charcoal was retrieved. The human remains comprised small bones and peripheral skeletal elements. This patterning, together with the evidence from caves elsewhere in Ireland, suggests that the cave was used by Neolithic people as a place for excarnation of the dead. Following decomposition of corpses, the major parts of the skeletons were removed from the cave to a secondary location. Small bones and fragments that were overlooked during the collection remained in the cave.

Dowd, M. 2008 The use of caves for funerary and ritual practices in Neolithic Ireland. Antiquity 82, 305–317.

School of Science, I.T. Sligo