The Inchnadamph Bone Caves - a photo on Flickriver

            The Bone Caves of Inchnadamph (“Ox Pasture” or “Meadow of the Stags”) are a series of natural caves in the far north-west of Scotland that take their name from the large number of prehistoric animal bones that have been discovered within them. They are located approximately 3 miles south-east of Inchnadamph and open into the base of a high limestone cliff called Creag nan Uamh (“Cliff of the Caves”), on the south side of the Allt nan Uamh (“Stream of the Caves”).

The Bone Caves were created thousands of years before the last ice age, as water seeped into the rock along cracks and fissures and gradually dissolved the limestone. There are four main entrances to the cave system and from west to east (right to left in the picture) they are called “Badger Cave”, “Reindeer Cave”, “Bone Cave” and “Fox’s Den”. The caves were first excavated in 1889 and further excavations were conducted in 1926 and 1927, uncovering the bones of many animals that date back thousands of years. The findings included bear, reindeer, lynx, arctic fox, wolves and even a polar bear. Reindeer bones were particularly prevalent and dated as far back as 47,000 years. The large number of reindeer bones suggests that the upper valley of the Allt nan Uamh may once have been used as a calving ground. There is no indication that the caves were ever inhabited by humans but human burials have been discovered within them and the bones of four people have been identified. Radio-carbon dating indicated that they died during the Neolithic period, between 2515 and 2720 BC.

The picture was taken looking south-eastwards towards Creag nan Uamh and the Bone Caves from the Allt nan Uamh. Glacial erosion and erosion by water after the glaciers melted has deepened the valley and left the caves several hundred feet higher than the valley bottom. The top inset shows the entrance to “Reindeer Cave” and the bottom inset was taken looking out from the cave over the valley of the Allt nan Uamh.

The discoveries from the Bone Caves have provided the most complete record anywhere in Scotland of animals that lived during the last glacial period. The caves have been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and they are part of the North West Highlands Geo Park.

Taken in: United Kingdom / Scotland / Inchnadamph (show map)

Taken on: April 6, 2013

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Sets appears in: • Scotland • Prehistoric Britain

Groups appears in: • Hiking • Scotland more » • Uk Archaeology • Historical places • UK Landscapes, Sea and Country. • Landscape photography • Nikon Coolpixes • Ancient • The British Countryside • History is All Around Us • Archaeology • Cool Britannia - The Best of British on Flickr • Historic UK and Ireland • scottish scenery • World Landscape • Scotland - the Land and the Sea • Scottish Landscapes • History Directory • Digital Scotland • SCOTLAND'S LANDSCAPES • Landscapes of the World • Great British Landscapes (No buildings, boats, people or animals • "History & Antiquities (Post 5 - Award 3)" • Historical and architectural gems • British Photographers • Scotland in Picture • Scottish Highlands • "U.K. Photo Gallery" ( All Welcome ) • Flickr P&S Camera Club • Nikon P7000 • Coolpix P7X00 Shooters - Closing • Landscape Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots • Ancient Ruins & Ancient Places • digital compact only -- p1 / a2 -- open EXIF -- • FOTO-GRAFICA-MENTE « less

Camera: NIKON COOLPIX P7000, f/4.0, 1/160 sec, 5.8mm (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	NIKON COOLPIX P7000
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/160)
Focal Length:	5.8mm
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Red-eye reduction
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Scene Capture Type:	Landscape
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	PaintShop Pro 14.00
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