When did the excavations of Russell Cave take place?
1951
Excavations of Russell Cave In 1951, a crew from the Tennessee Valley Authority was surveying land for power lines in Doran’s Cove located in the Northeast corner of Alabama.
What makes Russell Cave so unique?
Russell Cave is an archeological site with one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast. In the 1950s, archeologists uncovered a large quantity of artifacts representing over 10,000 years of use in a single place.
Can you go inside Russell Cave?
The one on the left is what most people think of when they hear the word cave—a long, dark passage into the earth—but it is not accessible to anyone without a permit, and only scientists are issued a permit.
Why is Russell Cave a national monument?
The cave, one of many archeological sites in the Russell Cave National Monument, provided shelter to various groups for approximately 12,000 years – from roughly 10,000 BC to 1650 AD. This staggering achievement makes Russell Cave one of the oldest rock shelters in the eastern United States.
What are some of the artifacts found in Russell Cave?
Archaeological excavations of the 1950s and 1960s dug more than 42 feet into the cave floor, discovering bone tools, jewelry, pottery fragments, animal bones and arrow heads, some of which can be seen in the museum at the site’s Visitor Center.
Who were the first humans to live in Alabama?
Around 11,000 B.C., Paleo-Indians are believed to be the first humans to live in Alabama. The most consistent trait of all Native American cultures is their knowledge and use of lithic (stone) technology.
Where is the Russell Cave?
northeast Alabama
Russell Cave is located in northeast Alabama near the town of Bridgeport in Jackson County. It is a significant archaeological site that provides a record of thousands of years of human use. Russell Cave was named a National Monument in 1961 and a placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
Is Russel cave open?
Russell Cave National Monument is located at 3729 County Road 98, Bridgeport, Alabama 35740. The site is open year-round, seven days a week (closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). Hours of operation are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Central Time. There are no fees to enter the park or tour the cave.
How was the Russell Cave formed?
Caves are a common feature of the erosion process, and Russell Cave, like other caves in the region, was formed when groundwater eroded cracks and fissures in Mississippian limestone beds. Russell Cave is part of a larger system of interconnected, tubular caves that stretch approximately seven miles.
What is the nickname for Alabama?
Cotton State
Heart of DixieYellowhammer State
Alabama/Nicknames
Does Alabama have any national parks?
Alabama may not have any national parks to its name, but the NPS manages a couple of great outdoor destination across the state, including Little River Canyon and Russell Cave. But Alabama is also blessed with state parks that offer a diverse range of natural escapes, from the mountains to the sea.
How did Russell Cave in Alabama get its name?
Russell Cave was named a National Monument in 1961 and a placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Today, the cave is part of the national park system and hosts visitors from all over the world. Russell Cave is a stop on the North Alabama Birding Trail. It is named for the Russell family,…
Which is the third longest cave in Alabama?
Russell Cave National Monument Russell Cave National Monument is a National Monument in the northeastern corner of Alabama near Bridgeport. A total of 7.2 miles inside of Russell Cave have been mapped, making it the state’s third longest cave and one of the longest caves in the country.
Where are the caves in Warrior, Al?
Rickwood Caverns State Park is a state park near Warrior, Alabama. The park’s main draw is the large network of caverns that give it its name. The caves have many interesting features, including underground pools, rock formations, and rare blind cave fish.