Plunkett — On the Ex2)loration of the Knoekniiuiij Cave. 473 



inches broad. There were fragments of a much smaller vessel found 

 near this niche, which appeared to be rudely ornamented (fig. 6), but 



Fis. 6. 



no traces of human remains were found in connexion with it, although 

 I carefully examined the spot ; probably it was placed beside the re- 

 mains of the departed as a food vessel. 



The burnt bones found in the urn must have been subjected to 

 powerful heat, as their contorted appearance indicated. They repre- 

 sented a male and female, as may be seen by the appended report. 



There were no other remains, or any objects of interest, found in 

 this layer. 



The next stratum was about 2 feet deep, and consisted of pale 

 brown and rather compact earth, including some limestone blocks, 

 which had evidently fallen from the roof, as its appearance indicated. 

 During the removal of this layer there was nothing of interest found 

 except small pieces of charcoal, which I observed under some of the 

 stones as they were being removed. 



The last layer was now uncovered, which corresponded exactly 

 with the lowest stratum at the other end, being composed of yellow 

 sandy clay and gravel ; nothing of any importance was found in it 

 except the remains of an ancient hearth, consisting of ashes and char- 

 coal, which was partly covered with patches of stalagmite. This was 

 found at the very lowest and most commodious part of the cave bottom, 

 being 10 feet high when excavated, and 5 feet broad. A large 

 stone, about 6 cwt., rested with its larger end on the surface of the 

 hearth, the other and smaller end leaning against the side of the cave. 

 I measured all its surfaces, and found that it had fallen from the roof, 

 as it corresponded in every way with a cavity directly above it, and 

 if it could have been raised up to the roof in the position in which it 

 lay, it would have fitted into the cavity. The reason I describe this 

 stone so minutely is to show that it was not placed designedly there. 



