Russell Cave National Monument:
The Southeast's Most Complete Record Through Time
by Melanie B. Bradford, Section #4 of 7

The Significance of the Findings at Russell Cave

What was Found and Who Were the People Who Left It Behind?

A comprehensive and inclusive list of every artifact left behind by early peoples in Russell Cave is impossible for two key reasons:

1. There is no way of accounting for the number or type of objects that were taken from the cave by private individuals and vandals. Evidence and hearsay indicate many people collected the remains in the cave before Brown "discovered" it. In addition, many items were stolen by looters and vandals during the excavation process. Some of the stolen items promised to be significant archaeological finds. On one occasion shortly after nightfall, the excavators discovered a relatively large piece of basket dating back to the Woodland period. The basket, still containing charred seeds, provided insight into the early peoples' diet and confirmed that they ate the seeds from chenopodium or lambsquarter. The basket, the only one found from this time period, was extremely fragile. While the archaeologists were taking precautions in removing the fragment, vandals raided the site during the night and stole it. If this fragment had not been carefully documented and studied before it was stolen, archaeologists would have lost a valuable piece of knowledge.
2. The cave still has areas left undisturbed. Further excavation is not considered necessary unless archaeological questions are posed that necessitate further investigation.

Although the exact number of artifacts contained in the cave remains unknown, a large number have been recovered. The NPS excavations recovered 127,000 artifacts. Brown's excavations recovered approximately 300 artifacts, and Miller's excavations recovered three tons of artifacts!

The remainder of this section provides selected photographs and an overview of artifacts found from each time period.

The Paleo-Indians
(Before 12,000 BC - 7,000 BC)

As discussed in the "Recent History of Doran's Cove Area" article in this series, the Paleo-Indians were descendants of the first people to cross the Bering Strait from Asia to the North American continent. The Paleo-Indians were nomads. Their lifestyle was primarily concerned with survival. Life was very difficult and there was little time for other pursuits. The tools used by these people consisted mainly of spears, knives and crude, stone scrapers.

The Paleo-Indians at Russell Cave?

Were the Paleo Indians at Russell Cave? When the Paleo Indians entered the Americas is a controversial topic. For many years the standard belief among archaeologists was that the first Native Americans did not begin migrating throughout North America until 12,000 - 10,000 BC. If this is true, it would have been impossible for Native Americans to live at Russell Cave in 12,000 BC. After all, they were just beginning to leave Alaska. However, when Tom Dillehay, a University of Kentucky archaeologist, recently found a human footprint and other signs of community environment that dated back to 12,000 BC in Monte Verde, Chile, the stage was set to reexamine the theory of when humans first arrived in the Americas. Dillehay's discovery is not unique. Many other well-respected archaeologists are finding similar evidence across North America indicating humans inhabited the Americas earlier than previously thought.

Why is there a question about the time periods at Russell Cave? Generally, Russell Cave was designated to be as in the Archaic time period. However, there is evidence that the Paleo Indians did live in Russell Cave. This fact would place human occupation of the cave at approximately 12,000 BC instead of 8,000 BC, as is popularly quoted. The discrepancy comes from the fact that official archeological reports were cautious about making assumptions about the presence of the Paleo Indians. Although this is a scientifically responsible quality more evidence now indicates the likelihood of Paleo inhabitants it may be time to reassess Russell Cave's time line.

Paleo artifacts were found at Russell Cave. The Paleo artifacts consist of various types of spear points. Miller's excavation's recovered more of these artifacts than any of the others. However, the NPS excavations also found Paleo artifacts. Discussion was given to the presence of these artifacts, but it was finally decided that the number of artifacts were not numerous enough to classify the site as dating back to the Paleo period. The artifacts were considered to possibly indicate Paleo habitation.

Paleo artifacts consisting of various types of spear points were found at Russell Cave during Miller and NPS. Miller's excavation's recovered more of these artifacts than other excavations. However, the number of artifacts were not enough to classify the site as dating back to the Paleo period. The artifacts indicated possible Paleo habitation, but more likely archaeologists believed it to be early Archaic people used Paleo technology. As a result, Russell Cave was placed in the Archaic period. While it is commendable and reassuring that the archaeologists did not jump to premature conclusions, it would be interesting to see the field notes, reports, and the artifacts reexamined. Some degree of reexamination has been conducted because SEAC (NPS Southeast Archaeological Center), one of the most respected archaeological research centers, now lists Russell Cave as a Paleo site. However, this designation has not been widely proclaimed to the public and apparently still generates questions. Larry Beane, NPS Park Ranger and archaeologist, said concerning the subject, "there are too many Paleo points here to argue that it is not a Paleo site."

Is Russell Cave a Paleo site? The evidence was considered doubtful in the 1960's, but today, many are confirming that Russell Cave was occupied earlier than previously thought. By taking a better look at evidence found long ago, Russell Cave might very well prove to be the next "new" site in the recent line of Paleo discoveries.

Paleo Artifacts

Paleo points from NPS excavations
	Paleo Point from NPS excavation. Dalton Point

Other Artifacts

• The Archaic Indians
• The Mississippian Indians
• The Woodland Indians
• The Real Significance of the Findings

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