Archaeological and Paleoethnobotanical Investigations in Salts Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Bibliographic Data

ID2560428
AuthorsPatty Jo Watson (0000-0001-6112-8751, Emory University, corresponding author), Richard A Yarnell (Emory University)
Year1966
Volume31
Issue6
Pages842-849
Publication date1966-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Antiquity (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7316 • E-ISSN: 2325-5064
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2694457
OpenAlexW1968146470
LanguageEN
Citations received19
References cited4

Reconnaissance, surface collecting, and test excavation were carried on in Salts Cave in August, 1963, by a joint Illinois State Museum-Cave Research Foundation expedition in cooperation with the National Park Service. Various analyses and secondary investigations have continued since then. The main upper passages of the cave were extensively visited during the last millennium B.C. by a prehistoric people who are probably to be assigned to the Early Woodland culture grouping. They were exploiting the mineral resources of the cave, primarily sulfate crystalline deposits, at least one of which is cathartic. Some individuals penetrated nearly two miles into the cave, using cane torches. Quantities of prehistoric, dried human feces are available and are yielding important dietary information. The people were apparently cultivating some plant species, including sunflower (Heliarn thus annus) and two members of the classic tropical horticultural complex, squash and gourd (Cucurbita pepo and Lagenarid siceraria). There is as yet no evidence that they grew or used maize (Zea mays

Archaeology · Biology · Cave · Excavation · Geography · Gourd · Mammoth · Midden · National park · Prehistory · Woodland · Archaeology and Natural History · Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies · Ecology · Geology and Paleoclimatology Research

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