240 . R. PENNINGTON ON THE CASTLETON BONE-CAVES. 



was further afforded by the presence of a good deal of charcoal, 

 whilst a number of human teeth seemed to point to its having at 

 some time served as a grave. 



Of animals probably not conected with man, there Jwere many 

 bones and teeth of the fox (Canis vulpes) and about as many of the 

 badger (Meles taoous). Young foxes and young badgers were found. 

 There was also a nearly perfect skull of a cat, and portions of skulls 

 of water-rat (Arvicola amphibia), so common in the prehistoric 

 barrows of this district. There was also a canine of dog, a milk- 

 molar of red deer, a smashed bone of duck, spurs of domestic fowl, 

 and bones of hare, with a recent skeleton of shrew. 



Of implements &c, there was a tooled piece of Stag-horn, an iron 

 spike (or what seemed to be such), 2 flints (one very good), a piece 

 of jet, part of a bone comb, and a magnificent bronze celt of a type 

 I believe to be unusual, bearing marks of usage, but in a splendid 

 state of preservation. It was found in the second layer, very near 

 the top and on the north side of the cave, just where the deposit 

 was thickest. 



The second layer contained also some rounded fragments of chert. 



Below the stalagmite, and in the black earth (D) were bones and a 

 tooth of the Celtic short-horn, part of a jaw and bones of the hog, 

 part of a jaw and some vertebrae of red deer, a femur of wolf, and a 

 molar of horse. 



In the yellow layer (E) next the rock were more human teeth, the 

 jaw of a hog, part of the jaw (teeth very large) and bones of red 

 deer, and bones or teeth of goat, badger, rabbit, and cat ; also a 

 good flint implement. 



Outside the cave and in the layer above the stalagmite, where it 

 existed (the results from below the stalagmite being included in 

 those already given) were bones of the Celtic short-horn, bones of a 

 young dog, and bones of hogs. All these were broken. 



There were also perfect bones of the fox, badger, and goat. Di- 

 rect traces of man appeared in a human fibula, and a base of red-deer 

 antler, half sawn through and then broken off; some other frag- 

 ments of antlers were also present. A flint was the only other 

 manufactured article discovered. 



The cave seemed to have been from time to time occupied during 

 a lengthened period, probably commencing in the Neolithic age, and 

 extending into those of Bronze and Iron ; whilst in historic times it 

 has been the refuge of badgers and foxes, man now and then re- 

 sorting to it for temporary purposes. 



Asa residence or a refuge it would be safe, sheltered, and tolerably 

 commodious, being situated near the top of the steep sides of Cave 

 Dale, screened from observation and the weather by a bank of earth 

 and having a south-eastern aspect. 



Gelly or Harile Dale. — In this dale are three or four small caves 

 or rock shelters, one to be presently mentioned. 



It is one of the little glens in the Mountain-limestone to the 

 south of Castleton. 

 - In one of these caves, which was dug out in 1872, we found but 



