Russell Cave National Monument
Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE)·Southeast Archaic to Woodland·🇺🇸 Alabama, United States
Wikipedia contributors · CC (see file page)
About
About Russell Cave National Monument
Russell Cave National Monument in Alabama, United States is a Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE) cave attributed to Southeast Archaic to Woodland culture. Carl Miller 1956–58 excavation revealed 8,000-year sequence, 6 tons of shell, bone harpoons, 40 burials, transitional Paleo to Archaic. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built Natural – occupation 6500 BCE; purpose: Year-round shelter and cemetery for Coosa River valley foragers. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 340 m elevation.
Why it mattersCarl Miller 1956–58 excavation revealed 8,000-year sequence, 6 tons of shell, bone harpoons, 40 burials, transitional Paleo to Archaic.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Russell Cave National Monument
- 02Function and labor organization for cave – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Southeast Archaic to Woodland
- 02Territorial marker / elite residence hypothesis
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Natural – occupation 6500 BCE
- Period
- Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE)
- Culture
- Southeast Archaic to Woodland
- Builders
- Southeast foragers
- Purpose
- Year-round shelter and cemetery for Coosa River valley foragers
- Excavation
- Excavated
Natural – occupation 6500 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
34.9766° N · 85.8143° W · 340 m · 3 mapped features
- Russell Cave National Monument — Principal MonumentcavePrincipal Monument at Russell Cave National Monument – cave (Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE)) – Carl Miller 1956–58 excavation revealed 8,000-year sequence,34.9776° N · 85.8132° W
- Russell Cave National Monument — Ancillary ComplexstratigraphyAncillary Complex at Russell Cave National Monument – stratigraphy (Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE)) – Carl Miller 1956–58 excavation revealed 8,000-year sequence,34.9754° N · 85.8150° W
- Russell Cave National Monument — Outlier FeaturepictographOutlier Feature at Russell Cave National Monument – pictograph (Paleo-Indian to Mississippian (6500 BCE – 1000 CE)) – Carl Miller 1956–58 excavation revealed 8,000-year sequence,34.9786° N · 85.8127° W
Gallery