While listening … am washing cave bones from our July excavation… holding a partial ulna (front leg) bone in my hands of an Ice Age Spotted Hyena (the larger ancestor to modern spotted hyena in Africa). Yes, Ireland has these top predators/scavengers some 40,000 years ago! #PALAEOIreland 🏺
October 11, 2025 at 9:07 PM
While listening … am washing cave bones from our July excavation… holding a partial ulna (front leg) bone in my hands of an Ice Age Spotted Hyena (the larger ancestor to modern spotted hyena in Africa). Yes, Ireland has these top predators/scavengers some 40,000 years ago! #PALAEOIreland 🏺
Finally can say our @researchireland.ie COALESCE funded project (coming up to half way through now), joint project between @ucddublin.bsky.social & ATU Galway & lots of collaborators, including Dr Richard Jennings @ljmuofficial.bsky.social & 14CHRONO
Our PALAEO-IRELAND project! 🏺
#PalaeoIreland
Our PALAEO-IRELAND project! 🏺
#PalaeoIreland
September 5, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Finally can say our @researchireland.ie COALESCE funded project (coming up to half way through now), joint project between @ucddublin.bsky.social & ATU Galway & lots of collaborators, including Dr Richard Jennings @ljmuofficial.bsky.social & 14CHRONO
Our PALAEO-IRELAND project! 🏺
#PalaeoIreland
Our PALAEO-IRELAND project! 🏺
#PalaeoIreland
Day 4
“All by myself …”🎶🎤
Everyone working hard in the cave in various areas…
A few bear and reindeer bones coming out today…
#Castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
#cavearchaeology
@ria.ie
@researchireland.ie
🏺
“All by myself …”🎶🎤
Everyone working hard in the cave in various areas…
A few bear and reindeer bones coming out today…
#Castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
#cavearchaeology
@ria.ie
@researchireland.ie
🏺
July 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Day 4
“All by myself …”🎶🎤
Everyone working hard in the cave in various areas…
A few bear and reindeer bones coming out today…
#Castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
#cavearchaeology
@ria.ie
@researchireland.ie
🏺
“All by myself …”🎶🎤
Everyone working hard in the cave in various areas…
A few bear and reindeer bones coming out today…
#Castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
#cavearchaeology
@ria.ie
@researchireland.ie
🏺
Day 4, after the fog lifted, a glorious morning outside the cave… meant to get to around 25C this afternoon. I shall be retreating into the cave for awhile.
Digging and excavating continues inside …
#castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
@ria.ie
Digging and excavating continues inside …
#castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
@ria.ie
July 10, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Day 4, after the fog lifted, a glorious morning outside the cave… meant to get to around 25C this afternoon. I shall be retreating into the cave for awhile.
Digging and excavating continues inside …
#castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
@ria.ie
Digging and excavating continues inside …
#castlepookcave #CSG #PALAEOIreland #IrishCaveBones
@ria.ie
Day 3 … bones coming out today including brown bear and below, a reindeer distal humerus (front leg).
Sun blazing from the blue sky!
#Castlepookcaveproject
#PALAEOIreland
#CSG #cavearchaeology
#IrishCaveBones #IrishArchaeology
🏺
@ria.ie @researchireland.ie @ucddublin.bsky.social
Sun blazing from the blue sky!
#Castlepookcaveproject
#PALAEOIreland
#CSG #cavearchaeology
#IrishCaveBones #IrishArchaeology
🏺
@ria.ie @researchireland.ie @ucddublin.bsky.social
July 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Day 3 … bones coming out today including brown bear and below, a reindeer distal humerus (front leg).
Sun blazing from the blue sky!
#Castlepookcaveproject
#PALAEOIreland
#CSG #cavearchaeology
#IrishCaveBones #IrishArchaeology
🏺
@ria.ie @researchireland.ie @ucddublin.bsky.social
Sun blazing from the blue sky!
#Castlepookcaveproject
#PALAEOIreland
#CSG #cavearchaeology
#IrishCaveBones #IrishArchaeology
🏺
@ria.ie @researchireland.ie @ucddublin.bsky.social
End of Day 2 & we found some reindeer and hare teeth and bones.
A good day at Castlepook cave, Co. Cork funded research archaeological excavation.
#PALAEOIreland
@ria.ie
@ucddublin.bsky.social
A good day at Castlepook cave, Co. Cork funded research archaeological excavation.
#PALAEOIreland
@ria.ie
@ucddublin.bsky.social
July 8, 2025 at 8:23 PM
End of Day 2 & we found some reindeer and hare teeth and bones.
A good day at Castlepook cave, Co. Cork funded research archaeological excavation.
#PALAEOIreland
@ria.ie
@ucddublin.bsky.social
A good day at Castlepook cave, Co. Cork funded research archaeological excavation.
#PALAEOIreland
@ria.ie
@ucddublin.bsky.social
Day 2 current view …
The rain and high humidity this morning gave way to a glorious afternoon with a cooler breeze.
Castlepook cave research archaeological excavation 2025, funded by @ria.ie
#PALAEOIreland
#IrishCaveBones
The rain and high humidity this morning gave way to a glorious afternoon with a cooler breeze.
Castlepook cave research archaeological excavation 2025, funded by @ria.ie
#PALAEOIreland
#IrishCaveBones
July 8, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Day 2 current view …
The rain and high humidity this morning gave way to a glorious afternoon with a cooler breeze.
Castlepook cave research archaeological excavation 2025, funded by @ria.ie
#PALAEOIreland
#IrishCaveBones
The rain and high humidity this morning gave way to a glorious afternoon with a cooler breeze.
Castlepook cave research archaeological excavation 2025, funded by @ria.ie
#PALAEOIreland
#IrishCaveBones
Day 2 at Castlepook Cave a research excavation 2025. Primarily funded by @ria.ie
Team in great spirits & eager to work. Finding some bones in sediment already yesterday evening & this morning.
We have Dr Mike Simms, Ulster Museum with us for a few days - the cave whisperer!
#PALAEOIreland
Team in great spirits & eager to work. Finding some bones in sediment already yesterday evening & this morning.
We have Dr Mike Simms, Ulster Museum with us for a few days - the cave whisperer!
#PALAEOIreland
July 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Day 2 at Castlepook Cave a research excavation 2025. Primarily funded by @ria.ie
Team in great spirits & eager to work. Finding some bones in sediment already yesterday evening & this morning.
We have Dr Mike Simms, Ulster Museum with us for a few days - the cave whisperer!
#PALAEOIreland
Team in great spirits & eager to work. Finding some bones in sediment already yesterday evening & this morning.
We have Dr Mike Simms, Ulster Museum with us for a few days - the cave whisperer!
#PALAEOIreland
And we’re back!
Castlepook cave project 2025 archaeological research excavation - funded by @ria.ie in collaboration with CSG caving members & supported by @researchireland.ie #PALAEOIreland project.
I beat my fears & got into the first few chambers for first time with CSG caver Mark! 😊
1/n
Castlepook cave project 2025 archaeological research excavation - funded by @ria.ie in collaboration with CSG caving members & supported by @researchireland.ie #PALAEOIreland project.
I beat my fears & got into the first few chambers for first time with CSG caver Mark! 😊
1/n
July 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
And we’re back!
Castlepook cave project 2025 archaeological research excavation - funded by @ria.ie in collaboration with CSG caving members & supported by @researchireland.ie #PALAEOIreland project.
I beat my fears & got into the first few chambers for first time with CSG caver Mark! 😊
1/n
Castlepook cave project 2025 archaeological research excavation - funded by @ria.ie in collaboration with CSG caving members & supported by @researchireland.ie #PALAEOIreland project.
I beat my fears & got into the first few chambers for first time with CSG caver Mark! 😊
1/n
We are supported in the cave by the amazing cavers of the Cork Speleological Group, and members of Irish Cave Rescue. Our ongoing collaboration continues and we are all in safe hands!
We will have many partners and collaborators on site with us.
#IrishArchaeology #cavingIreland #PalaeoIreland
We will have many partners and collaborators on site with us.
#IrishArchaeology #cavingIreland #PalaeoIreland
a cartoon of a man in a cave with the words " come on " above him
ALT: a cartoon of a man in a cave with the words " come on " above him
media.tenor.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We are supported in the cave by the amazing cavers of the Cork Speleological Group, and members of Irish Cave Rescue. Our ongoing collaboration continues and we are all in safe hands!
We will have many partners and collaborators on site with us.
#IrishArchaeology #cavingIreland #PalaeoIreland
We will have many partners and collaborators on site with us.
#IrishArchaeology #cavingIreland #PalaeoIreland
I love the smell of cave dirt - each cave has a different smell I’m finding and I’m here for it all!
#palaeoireland
#zooarchaeology #bones
#cavearchaeology
#dirt
#palaeoireland
#zooarchaeology #bones
#cavearchaeology
#dirt
a woman wearing a red hat is asking is that weird
ALT: a woman wearing a red hat is asking is that weird
media.tenor.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I love the smell of cave dirt - each cave has a different smell I’m finding and I’m here for it all!
#palaeoireland
#zooarchaeology #bones
#cavearchaeology
#dirt
#palaeoireland
#zooarchaeology #bones
#cavearchaeology
#dirt
The different colours of cave bone washing water … early to end ….
Like coffee but not coffee!
Speaking of coffee… time to make some!
#cavearchaeology #irisharchaeology
#irishcavebones
#bones
#zooarchaeology
#palaeoireland
#postex
Like coffee but not coffee!
Speaking of coffee… time to make some!
#cavearchaeology #irisharchaeology
#irishcavebones
#bones
#zooarchaeology
#palaeoireland
#postex
June 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The different colours of cave bone washing water … early to end ….
Like coffee but not coffee!
Speaking of coffee… time to make some!
#cavearchaeology #irisharchaeology
#irishcavebones
#bones
#zooarchaeology
#palaeoireland
#postex
Like coffee but not coffee!
Speaking of coffee… time to make some!
#cavearchaeology #irisharchaeology
#irishcavebones
#bones
#zooarchaeology
#palaeoireland
#postex
First look into the box of ‘fresh’ cave bones …..
Oooooooooooo 😯
#IrishArchaeology #PalaeoIreland #bones #cavearchaeology #caves #archaeology
Oooooooooooo 😯
#IrishArchaeology #PalaeoIreland #bones #cavearchaeology #caves #archaeology
May 31, 2025 at 9:02 PM
First look into the box of ‘fresh’ cave bones …..
Oooooooooooo 😯
#IrishArchaeology #PalaeoIreland #bones #cavearchaeology #caves #archaeology
Oooooooooooo 😯
#IrishArchaeology #PalaeoIreland #bones #cavearchaeology #caves #archaeology
Our collaborative team of cave archaeologists & Cork Speleological Group / Irish Cave Rescue Stan Drapala, had a very fruitful excavation week, funded by @researchireland.ie
After a 10hr drive, I have the bones & sediment for wet sieving. Post-ex work will be fun! New discoveries! #PalaeoIreland 🏺
After a 10hr drive, I have the bones & sediment for wet sieving. Post-ex work will be fun! New discoveries! #PalaeoIreland 🏺
May 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Our collaborative team of cave archaeologists & Cork Speleological Group / Irish Cave Rescue Stan Drapala, had a very fruitful excavation week, funded by @researchireland.ie
After a 10hr drive, I have the bones & sediment for wet sieving. Post-ex work will be fun! New discoveries! #PalaeoIreland 🏺
After a 10hr drive, I have the bones & sediment for wet sieving. Post-ex work will be fun! New discoveries! #PalaeoIreland 🏺
Delighted and grateful to receive a @heritagecouncil.ie Cork County Council Heritage Scheme 2025 grant, towards radiocarbon dating Castlepook cave animal bones, we excavated last April 2024.
🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
Can’t wait for results! #PalaeoIreland
@ucdarchaeology.bsky.social @shrewgod.bsky.social
🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
Can’t wait for results! #PalaeoIreland
@ucdarchaeology.bsky.social @shrewgod.bsky.social
May 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Delighted and grateful to receive a @heritagecouncil.ie Cork County Council Heritage Scheme 2025 grant, towards radiocarbon dating Castlepook cave animal bones, we excavated last April 2024.
🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
Can’t wait for results! #PalaeoIreland
@ucdarchaeology.bsky.social @shrewgod.bsky.social
🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴
Can’t wait for results! #PalaeoIreland
@ucdarchaeology.bsky.social @shrewgod.bsky.social
When you go searching in interim office since moving for something & finding things that got misplaced during the move …. and before!
Found some more bones from Castlepook cave research excavation April 2024 and Ballynamintra cave too. Need to be washed tomorrow. #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland
Found some more bones from Castlepook cave research excavation April 2024 and Ballynamintra cave too. Need to be washed tomorrow. #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland
November 18, 2024 at 10:22 PM
When you go searching in interim office since moving for something & finding things that got misplaced during the move …. and before!
Found some more bones from Castlepook cave research excavation April 2024 and Ballynamintra cave too. Need to be washed tomorrow. #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland
Found some more bones from Castlepook cave research excavation April 2024 and Ballynamintra cave too. Need to be washed tomorrow. #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland
Quickly going through some cave bones we excavated last April at Castlepook cave, Ireland. Funded by the Royal Irish Academy, Irish Research Council & NSERC, Canada.
adult brown bear phalanx (toe bone), from somewhere in past 50,000 years! #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland 🏺
adult brown bear phalanx (toe bone), from somewhere in past 50,000 years! #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland 🏺
November 11, 2024 at 4:57 PM
Quickly going through some cave bones we excavated last April at Castlepook cave, Ireland. Funded by the Royal Irish Academy, Irish Research Council & NSERC, Canada.
adult brown bear phalanx (toe bone), from somewhere in past 50,000 years! #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland 🏺
adult brown bear phalanx (toe bone), from somewhere in past 50,000 years! #IrishCaveBones #PalaeoIreland 🏺