Cris Ebbs, the writer of this website until 2020, was actively involved in caving, mine exploration and cave archaeology from 1973 until late 2022. He had been a member of North Wales Caving Club and Grosvenor Caving Club in secretarial or editorial roles, also Northern Mines Research Society and the Council for British Archaeology (Wales). He was a member of North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation for 15 years. Moving from the Wirral to North Wales in 1977, Cris concentrated on local caves, but also explored caves throughout the UK, the west coast of Ireland, and one or two in France and Spain. During his long-term interest in cave archaeology, much was gleaned from the late Mel Davies, who provided Cris with guidance, advice, encouragement and helped swell his stock of animal and human remains for identification purposes. The decision to compile this website was made in response to the one or two sources that provided misleading or inaccurate information, particularly Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust (CPAT). After 40 years they finally produced their first report into archaeological caves of the area in 2009. Funded by CADW to the tune of about £4000, 'Report 980' confirmed that CPAT knew almost nothing about the subject; the report adding so many errors to the archaeological record, that it set back the public's understanding by many decades. Thus began a five year effort to highlight professional shortcomings and correct some of the errors. Hence the creation of this website and the publication of one or two short papers on the deteriorating condition of some of our archaeological caves.


Knowledge of the areas caves has been gathered during forty years of exploration in the company of many valued friends. It was made possible by the kindness of countless farmers, land-owners and estates.

Fellow explorers deserve sincere thanks for their expertise, patience or varied skills, but a handful are singled out for particular thanks.....