The floor of the cave was 10 feet (3.0 metres) above the level of the burn, and was a tourist destination before the quarrying of the limestone for smelting purposes.

The finds were recorded and catalogued by William Greenwell between 1859 and 1872, who described them as "one of the most valuable discoveries ever made in Britain of weapons, implements, ornaments, and other things belonging to the Bronze Age".

[7] Two gold objects are present in the assemblage – one bracelet and one unidentified ornament taking the form of a penannular, convex disc with a triangular section.

[8] A significant quantity of copper alloy weapons and tools forms the major part of this assemblage, including socketed axeheads, spearheads, casting moulds, fittings, rings, swords, and a bucket.

[7][9] The discovery of the ceramic remains was recounted by William Greenwell: "a large quantity of fragmentary pieces (of pottery), principally small, was discovered in all parts of the cave, but the greater portion has unfortunately not been preserved.