This volume looks at the development of antiquarianism in Cork from its earliest manifestations at the end of the eighteenth century up to about 1880, and in particular the spread of more scientific archaeological thought from the middle of the nineteenth century. Joan Rockley assesses different influences on the early antiquarians, from the dominance of the British state over intellectual institutions, to a perceived need to safeguard a rapidly declining Irish language and culture and the growth of scientific research and education in general. She charts the development of the rival antiquarian organizations, the Cork Cuvierian Society and the South Munster Antiquarian Society and provides biographical details for leading antiquarians such as John Windele, Thomas Hewitt, and John Lindsay, and looks at the impact in Cork of the major archaeological controversies of the age, such as the three age system.