As stated in the foreword the principal aim of the Harvard Irish Survey was to embody in the field three of the techniques of modern anthropology—physical anthropology, social anthropology and archaeology—directed towards Research on the same problem: the origin and development of the races and cultures of Ireland. One particular aspect of the archaeological work, the scope and general character of which will be summarized in the introduction, is included in this book; the original version was presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Harvard University in May 1937. Here I shall take the opportunity of thanking the scholars of several countries whose learning and generous assistance in many ways have made this work possible.

At the outset I wish to express my gratitude to Dr H. O'Neill Hencken, Director of the Harvard Archaeological Expedition to Ireland. Dr Hencken's helpful advice, close co-operation and friendship during the entire programme are reflected in a large measure by the degree of success achieved. A total of six Stone Age sites was investigated by the Expedition, five of them in Northern Ireland. During the 1934 season excavations were conducted at Kilgreany Cave, County Waterford (four. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland, LXV (1935), 254-296); Newferry, County Londonderry (Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. XLIII (1936), 17-40); Glenarm, County Antrim (four. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland, LXVII (1937), 181-220); and Cushendun, County Antrim (Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. XLVI (1940), 1—84). In 1935 an excavation was made at Curran Point, Larne, County Antrim, and it is hoped that the report covering this work will be published in 1942. A site on Rough Island, in Strangford Lough, County Down (four. Roy. Soc. Ant. Ireland, LXX (1940), in—142), was investigated in 1936 to complete the field-work. In Eire the Expedition has worked in close conjunction with the National Museum, of which Dr Adolf Mahr, M.R.I.A., is Director, and with the Ancient Monuments Committee, with H. G. Leask, M.R.I.A., as Chairman. Mr Anthony Farrington, Secretary of the Royal Irish Academy, and Justice Liam Price, M.R.I.A., Editor of the fournal of the Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, have given much helpful advice.