Russell Cave

https://www.nps.gov/ruca/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_Cave_National_Monument Russell Cave National Monument is in northeastern Alabama, close to the town of Bridgeport. Russell Cave has an exceptionally large main entrance, which was used for thousands of years as a shelter by cultures of prehistoric Indians, from approximately 6500 BCE, the period of earliest-known human settlement in the southeastern United States, to 1650 CE and the period of European colonization. With a mapped length of 7.2 miles (11.6 km), Russell Cave is the third-longest mapped cave in Alabama. Caving is no longer allowed inside the cave. The grounds offer trails for walking, and the area is a station on the North Alabama Birding Trail. 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. Today, Russell Cave National Monument helps bring to light many cultural developments of phenomenal human journeys. Russell Cave National Monument is located at 3729 County Road 98 in Bridgeport, Alabama. It is situated in the northeast corner of Alabama, just south of the Tennessee state line. Gilbert Grosvenor Visitor Center Begin your exploration of the park in the visitor center. Pick up a park brochure for more information about the cave shelter and hiking trails. Watch a 7 minute film about the early inhabitants of Russell Cave and view the artifacts that were excavated from the cave shelter. Check out the Eastern National bookstore that has an assortment of books and souvenirs for adults and children. From US-72, turn left onto Co Rd 75 and follow for 1 mile. Turn right onto Co Rd 98 and follow for 3.7 miles. The entrance to Russell Cave National Monument will be on the left. Russell Cave in Spring Russell Cave in Spring Prehistoric people continuously used Russell Cave for over 10,000 years Winter flood in December 2015 Winter flood in December 2015 14,000 acres drain into Russell Cave Looking out of the cave shelter Looking out of the cave shelter Looking out of the cave shelter in the fall Northern Cardinal Northern Cardinal Russell Cave is site 44 on the Alabama birding Trail. Deer behind visitor center Deer behind visitor center For a park of its size, Russell Cave National Monument has a diverse landscape that provides a remarkable habitat for wildlife observation. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Russell Cave National Monument, Alabama Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. board walk to cave entrance Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Paleozoic Era During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era. fossil corals in a rock matrix Mississippian Period—358.9 to 323.2 MYA The extensive caves of Mammoth Cave and Wind Cave national parks developed in limestone deposited during the Mississippian. Warm, shallow seas covered much of North America, which was close to the equator. fossil crinoid Paleozoic Era During the Paleozoic Era (541 to 252 million years ago), fish diversified and marine organisms were very abundant. In North America, the Paleozoic is characterized by multiple advances and retreats of shallow seas and repeated continental collisions that formed the Appalachian Mountains. Common Paleozoic fossils include trilobites and cephalopods such as squid, as well as insects and ferns. The greatest mass extinction in Earth's history ended this era. fossil corals in a rock matrix Blanket Cave National Youth Park—Activity Enjoy a fun activity and learn about caves even when you can't get out to a park. In this activity you will build your own cave and learn how to make it like a "real" natural cave. Find out about cave formations and wildlife, and how to be safe and care for caves. New "Blanket Cave National Youth Parks" are springing up all across America! Join the fun! cartoon drawing of a childs and a park ranger exploring a cave Top Ten Tips for Visiting Russell Cave Plan Like a Park Ranger with these Top 10 Tips for visiting Russell Cave National Monument! Visitors listen as a ranger speaks Mississippian Period - 500 to 1,000 Years Ago During this time people lived in small towns based on shared political, agricultural, and spiritual belief systems. They also built larger mounds, traded items, farmed corn extensively, and performed spiritual rituals. Mississippian natives around a village Woodland Period - 1,000 to 3,200 Years Ago Religion, politics, expanding trade, and agriculture emerge during this time of social and technological change. People built larger villages, and food resources became more stable. Woodland natives making camp inside cave shelter Archaic Period - 3,200 to 11,450 Years Ago Warming weather and over-hunting led to the extinction of the mega faunas, pushing the natives to rely more on plants, nuts, and seeds for sources of food. They made tools such as bone awls, bone fishhooks, atlatls, corded twines, and more intricate stone points. archaic natives weaving basket inside cave shelter Paleo-Indian Period - 10,000 to 14,500 Years Ago The first inhabitants of Russell Cave arrived during this period. People lived in small group following a nomadic lifestyle, hunted Ice Age megafaunas, fished, and foraged berries and nuts. Paleo-Indian native inside cave shelter Women in Fire Science: Alicia Schlarb Alicia Schlarb is the lead fire effects monitor for a portion of the National Park Service's Southeast Region. She and her crew provide prescribed burning, monitoring, and wildland fire responses to national parks located within Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and portions of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida. She loves fire and that she can change perceptions about wildland fire through science. Alicia Schlarb. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2024 All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul> Photo of a mountain hillside with flowers. A Georgia State University and National Park Service Collaboration: Fossil Fact Sheets in the Southeast Region A partnership between Georgia State University and the NPS Paleontology Program has enabled more focused paleontological resource support in parks in the Southeast Region of the U.S. During the past several years students mentored by Dr. Christy Visaggi have helped to complete paleontological resource inventories in several parks in the southeast region uncovering the fossil records of these parks. Photo of 3 people standing in front of a poster display. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Project Profile: A Strategic Approach to Building Forest Resiliency in Southeast Parks The National Park Service is addressing the climate change vulnerability of southeast park ecosystems. Fall-colored trees on a mountain slope. A tree is in the right-side foreground.