Russell Cave National Monument
Dateline: 12/09/97
Thousands of Archaic sites have been identified and uncovered throughout the southeastern United States, ranging from permanent cave dwellings to campfire remains. Russell Cave National Monument, located eight miles west of Bridgeport, Alabama, offers one of the largest and most complete archeological records of human habitation in this part of the country, dating back more than 9,000 years. The cave itself is one of the most extensive in the state and contains seven miles of mapped passageways, of which three miles are open to the public. Entrance into cave passages, except on the walkways around the archeological exhibit, is allowed in groups of three persons or more and only by permit, which can be obtained at the visitor center.
Since Russell Cave is an undeveloped cave with no lights or trails,
each person entering the cave must supply a light and hard hat,
first aid kit, as well as other equipment. According to park ranger
Lisa Powell, the 2-3 hour wild caving trip will involve wading
through water, as well as crawling through a variety of passages.
The visitor center museum includes a display of artifacts, including weapons, tools, pottery, and jewelry and the visitor center theater offers several short videos. Outside the cave, hiking is permitted along a 1.2-mile trail along Montague Mountain and on a self-guided, 0.6-mile trail, featuring plants used by the cave's inhabitants.
Russell Cave was established as a national monument in 1961, when 310 acres donated by the National Geographic Society were set aside to protect the site and its surroundings. The annual Indian Day Festival is held the third Saturday in April, and features demonstrations of skills used by early inhabitants of the area, including basket weaving, pottery and bow making, hide tanning, and flint napping. For further information, contact: Russell Cave National Monument at (205) 495-2672 or the National Caves Association at (931) 668-3925. For information on other nearby points of attraction contact Alabama State Parks Division at (800) 252-7275 or Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel at (800) 252-2262.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
