Russell Cave National Monument is one of the few places in the world where archeologists are able to study distinct cultural periods for thousands of years in one location. Russell Cave National Monument, in Bridgeport Alabama is one of those few locations. Russell Cave was professionally excavated 3 times by; 1953 - Tennessee Archaeological Society, 1956-58 Carl Miller Smithsonian Institution and 1962 National Park Service.
To research an area, archeologists prep the area by gridding off the area in squares to look for evidence. Items found, their depth and placements give clues about how people lived.
500 - 1000 years ago Mississippian Age
People live in communities of shared political, agricultural and spiritual belief systems. Items located - Arrowheads and stone tools for farming are located. Evidence of long ranging trade - copper from Michigan and Wisconsin area, Mica from mid Atlantic area, and shells from the Gulf Coast area. Refined agricultural techniques are being use such at the Three Sisters method of farming. Corn, beans and Squash are planted together. The corn acts like a trellis giving beans a pole, beans fixed nitrogen in the soil which helps feed the squash which in return provides shaded soil keeping moisture and suppressing weeds.
1,000 to 3,200 years ago - Woodland Age
This is a time of social and technological change. Items located included; manufactured pottery for food storage and cooking, bow and arrows and more refined farming techniques. Trade is just beginning, religion, politics, and agriculture are also emerging. There are more permanent villages with a more stable food supply.
3,200 to 11,450 years ago - Archaic Age
This is a time of warming weather and over hunting contributing to the extinction of the largest Ice Age animals. Items located include; arrow points and darts used to hunt deer, turkey, stones used to process food, grind seeds and crack nuts. The atlatl makes it first appearance during this time. People are more nomadic relying on plants, nuts and seeds for food. Hides are used for clothing, shelter and containers. Bones are used for tools, gaming pieces and adornments.
10,000 to 14,500 years ago - Paleo Age
This is a nomadic period. Items located include; arrowheads, and stone scrapers. They hunt peccary, porcupine other small animals, foraged for berries, nuts, edible roots, and fished in nearby rivers and streams.
300 Million years ago
Sedimentary rock housing Russell Cave is formed in a tropical sea.
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31 июл 2024
