Cave

The National Monuments Service's description

On E side of limestone knoll, on S bank of Blackwater River (see plan Dowd 1997, 26, fig. 3.6); complex of caves known as Killavullen Caves (see plans: Oldham 1981, 37 & Burke 1991, 111). Part of this complex excavated by C. Blake Knox and F.T. Riley in 1934, but no report published. Excavations produced 'a range of extinct faunal remains' in two of the caves and 'a human skeleton' in another; it is not clear where exactly in cave system these discoveries were made (Dowd ibid., 25-7). The excavators considered these human remains to be Bronze Age in date but there appears to be no supporting evidence for this claim (ibid., 171). Investigation in 1988/89 by the Craven Pothole Club extended area of known caves by considerable distance (Burke ibid.). Recently landowner has made part of system accessible to public; this involved use of mechanical hammers to remove 'calcite floors and rubble' (ibid., 109); it is not clear whether any archaeological material was recovered by this 'unauthorised digging' (Dowd ibid., 27).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 31/1934).