Dust Cave

Why it mattersUniversity of Alabama 1989–2002 excavation: 4 m deposits, 12,000 nut fragments, 3,500 features, earliest plant domestication evidence, Dalton to Benton phases.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

Natural – occupation c.10,500 BCE

Period

Paleo-Indian to Middle Archaic (10,500 – 4000 BCE)

Culture

Southeast Paleo-Indian / Early Archaic

Builders

Paleo-Indian foragers

Purpose

Seasonal nut harvesting and lithic base camp near Tennessee River

Excavation

Excavated

1. Natural – occupation c.10,500 BCE

   Initial construction / first occupation

2. c.500 CE

   Major refurbishment / second occupation phase

• Dust Cave — Principal MonumentcavePrincipal Monument at Dust Cave – cave (Paleo-Indian to Middle Archaic (10,500 – 4000 BCE)) – University of Alabama 1989–2002 excavation: 4 m deposits, 1234.7500° N · 87.6510° W
• Dust Cave — Ancillary ComplexstratigraphyAncillary Complex at Dust Cave – stratigraphy (Paleo-Indian to Middle Archaic (10,500 – 4000 BCE)) – University of Alabama 1989–2002 excavation: 4 m deposits, 1234.7478° N · 87.6528° W
• Dust Cave — Outlier FeaturepictographOutlier Feature at Dust Cave – pictograph (Paleo-Indian to Middle Archaic (10,500 – 4000 BCE)) – University of Alabama 1989–2002 excavation: 4 m deposits, 1234.7510° N · 87.6505° W