Cave Shelter

See where people have lived for thousands of years

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Site of excavations

Amenities

3 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Wheelchair Accessible

Long known as a cave where stone points could sometimes be found, it wasn’t until a surveyor for the Tennessee Valley Authority and member of the Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Archeological Society was shown this site by the locals that anyone thought there may be more to Russell Cave than a cool cave and swimming area. In 1953, the Tennessee archeological society would begin a dig that was immediately recognized as massive and then contact the Smithsonian Institute to ensure the most care and resources were given to this special site. From 1956 to 1958 the Smithsonian Institute would lead a major excavation, going over 32 feet into the ground and finding artifacts that would later be dated to about 10,000 BCE.   The National Geographic Society purchased the land that Russell Cave sits on and would eventually donate the land to the American people. Due to the massive amount of evidence found of human occupation, President John F. Kennedy decided to declare Russell Cave a National Monument in 1961 for everyone to have the chance to learn from and enjoy. Once the National Park Service took over, another dig was planned, and ten and a half feet were excavated where you can now see the concrete lined pit. Overall, close to three tons worth of artifacts were found ranging through all four of the time periods found in the southeast.
Today, visitors can stand at the entrance to this archeological site and view where these excavations took place as well as learn about the different time periods represented in the artifacts.