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Russell Cave National
Monument
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The entrance Russell Cave was used as a shelter by prehistoric people for about 10,000 years. They kept coming back often because it had all of the necessities needed by the people. The cave provided shelter from the elements. Air flowing out of it's mouth helps maintain a comfortable temperature since the inside of the cave system stays at a steady 58 degrees. |
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A natural spring provided fresh water which comes up out of the ground near the front entrance and flows into the cave. The two entrances of the cave were originally at water level. Rubble from a large roof collapse raised the floor level of the right side of the cave which made it a more livable area. Flood deposits eventually raised up the floor about 40 feet above the water. These deposits also covered up artifacts that people who lived here had left behind. Tools and weapons, made from Chert, have been found in the cave. Chert is a fine-grained, silica-rich, sedimentary rock similar Flint. It is found in the rocks at Russell Cave. |
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Russell Cave became a National Monument on May 11, 1961, signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. The National Geographic Society donated 310 acres to the American people because of the great archeological discoveries there. |
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