• View towards the visitor center

    Russell Cave

    National Monument Alabama

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Artist Painting of the 1960's Excavation
Each Twinkle of the Candle Light Tells the Excavators More About the Past Cultures of Russell Cave.
Susan Walton
 

The artifacts they left behind tell the story of the cave: the ebb and flow of habitation, whether the users were family groups or hunting parties, what they wore, what they ate, and the tools they used. As archeologists dug down to the deepest artifacts more than 40 feet below the cave's present floor, they traced the emergence of pottery more than 2,000 years ago, , increasing sophistication of tools and weapons, and the growing trading with other peoples during the Mississippian time period.

Did You Know?

Did You Know?

The National Geographic Society purchased 310 acres surrounding the cave shelter area and donated the land to the American people. Russell Cave was designated as a National Monument in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.