Hines Cave and other info
Posted: Mon May 14, 2018 2:28 pm
Go to the link for photos etc.
Some Lake Area Cave info:
http://www.uky.edu/OtherO…/…/books/funk ... bbch06.pdf
several
mummies have been found in the caves in Kentucky encased in
clothing.
The cave which has yielded the most material of any which we
have personally investigated is at Mills Spring in Wayne
THE CAVE DWELLERS 129
County about half-way between Burnside and Monticello. The cave is
located on the farm of Hon. J. S. Hines and is known locally as the
"Hines Cave." This region is rather famous historically since it is
adjacent to Price's Meadow and Mills Spring where the "Long
Hunters" who came to Kentucky from Virginia and North Carolina
about 1770 are supposed to have camped for two years or more.
Zollicoffer's entrenchments are still visible across the Cumberland
River. The cave itself is extensive and is ideally situated for
habitation. The land slopes from it gradually to the river, providing an
excellent place for the cultivation of crops; the entrance to the cave is
wide and
PHOTO BY A. S. HENDRICK
FIG. 67. ENTRANCE TO HINES CAVE.
Once occupied by prehistoric man.
high and the first chamber to which it leads is roomy and dry; the
mouth is flanked by high cliffs which protect it from wind, rain and
snow; the bottom is level and the light penetrates for a considerable
distance from the entrance. Altogether it affords a shelter which must
have been most desirable to a primitive race.
The entrance to this cave is about twenty feet high and opens
into a room approximately 145 feet long and sixty feet wide and
extends back for an unknown distance but the portions beyond the
first chamber are separated by narrow passages which are now
difficult to pass through because of the long accumulation of soil,
rocks and debris which has been washed into them. The rock floor of
this first chamber was struck at a depth of about twelve feet at the
entrance and about six feet
A. L. K.—5
130 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
in the rear. The cave was first examined in 1922 by a party consisting
of Professor A. M. Miller, Doctor A. S. Hendrick, Doctor W. E. Tait,
Victor K. Dodge, J. W. McCollum, Leland Snoddy, Professor J. M.
Davis, Miss Bessie Conkwright and the authors and has been visited
at various times and by various parties since that date. On two
occasions rather extensive explorations were made and considerable
time devoted to the examination of this and other nearby caves.
FIG. 68. A CAMP AT HINES CAVE.
Exploring party of 1922.
The floor of the Hines cave was trenched and found to contain
the usual ash layers and the remains of many fires. Around these
camp-fire sites were found most of the artifacts not found in the
graves, particularly awls, needles and skinning-knives; in the ash
beds were numerous animal bones. Also near the surface were layers
of light-colored earth which probably represented the leachings from
salt-petre which was in early days extensively mined in this cave
according to local tradition.
Skeletons were found at different layers and undoubtedly
represented different groups. The most superficial graves were found
near the walls and contained skeletons which appear quite modern;
the deepest graves were near the center and contained skeletons
which we believe to be very primitive. Altogether about twenty
graves were opened and from these were obtained nine fairly
complete skeletons and four additional skulls from
THE CAVE DWELLERS 131
skeletons which were not in condition to be removed. Some of the
graves were of considerable interest. In one, for example, was found
the skeleton of a dog beside that of the man.
In another was found the skeleton of a young woman who had
more than the usual number of ornaments and decorations and who
must have been a person of some importance in the tribe if we may
judge from these decorations and the care which had been taken with
the grave. She lay on her right side with her knees flexed, her right
arm beneath and her left arm across her body. An arrow-head was
found between her ribs. On both upper and lower arms and on her
right leg above the knee were the remains of strings of very small
shell beads. Around her neck was a sort of collar made of large
shells.
Most curious of all, she held in her hand what must have been
her most cherished possession for it remained encircled by her
skeleton fingers after all the years; it was simply a shining bit of
mica, about three inches in diameter and nearly circular. Its use is of
course conjectural. Whether it was her mirror or her vanity we do not
know—she must have been a typical flapper of her day—but the
evidence of the desire for ornamentation can not be denied.
Incidentally the character of this mica would indicate that it came
from North Carolina and it is difficult to refrain from conjecturing as
to how it was obtained by its final owner. Was she a North Carolina
girl? Had her lover found this shining trinket and brought it as a gift?
Had it been secured by barter from a wandering brave or had it been
taken from the body of a slain enemy? We are tempted into the realm
of romance where scientists are not supposed to venture.
Another skeleton—that of an old man—was of a quite primitive
type. The skull showed a sloping forehead, strong superaorbital
ridges and high cheek bones and the skeleton was very strongly
ossified. The peculiarity of this skeleton was the fact that the top of
the skull and the front of the tibiae showed lesions which were very
suggestive of syphilis. It is an interesting occurrence suggesting that
perhaps the venereal diseases of today were prevalent in prehistoric
times. This discovery tends to support somewhat a theory which has
been advanced to the
132 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
effect that these diseases originated in the New World and were first
carried to Europe by early sailors.
FIG. 69. OLD MAN FROM HINES' CAVE.
Showing lesion on top of skull which may have been caused by a venereal disease.
Another grave contained the bodies of mother and child with the
babe against the mother's breast. Still another grave showed on the
rocks which were pressed over the skeleton the imprint of a woven
bark fiber which might have formed a burial garment and which
lends support to a story told by natives that skeletons "wrapped in
carpet" had been found in a neighboring cave about thirty years ago.
The remains of eight skeletons
THE CAVE DWELLERS 133
were found in one pit and although the bones were in bad condition
they did not appear to have been thrown into the grave without
regard to position as is so often the case in the multiple burials in
mounds, but were carefully placed side by side with the heads bent
forward and the knees doubled up under the chin.
This cave was rich in artifacts, the most abundant of which were
stone hoes, flint arrow-heads, bone awls, bone needles, flint skinning
knives, bone and flint drills and shell beads. A few of the artifacts
represent rare and valuable types. Among these was a remarkable
pendant of bone, most artistically fashioned and highly polished with
the hole drilled horizontally through a flat projection at the top. Other
unusual pieces included a clay pipe of unique design, a peculiar type
of agricultural implement and several pieces of pottery of curious
shape and decoration. The best and most unusual of these objects
were found in the deeper graves which quite evidently represented
the oldest culture in the cave.
The cave contained an unusually large number of animal bones
which were gathered up and carried from the cave by the hundred.
From these bones it was possible to recognize the remains of several
distinct groups of animals. The carnivores were represented by the
wolf, bear, wild-cat, raccoon and fox, the ungulates by the deer, elk
and buffalo, the marsupials by the opossum, the rodents by the
muskrat, squirrel, rabbit and beaver, and the birds by the wild turkey,
crane and quail. The only reptilian remains were turtle shells and the
only fish bones were those of the gar which is still to be found in the
Cumberland River. Mussel shells were abundant as were also snails.
Many of these bones had been washed back under low overhanging
ledges at the sides and rear of the cave where they were packed in
jumbled masses. The commonest ones were those of the deer and
buffalo which seem to have been the chief items of the animal diet of
these people.
Of course the always important question as to the age of the
skeletons and artifacts is again a moot one. We believe however that
they are very old. One reason for this belief is the fact that a number
of the artifacts were found beneath a giant stalagmite nearly eight
feet in diameter which stood at the entrance to the cave and reached
nearly to its roof. How long it
134 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
took this colossal mass to form we do not know, for of course
stalagmitic growth depends upon the drip of the calcareous water
from the ceiling and this varies with the season. We know that in
some cases it takes many centuries for even small ones to be
deposited and the time required even under the most favorable
circumstances to produce a stalagmite of this size must have been
very great. Yet when by the use of dynamite this was dislodged
we found beneath it many artifacts and some human remains
which would indicate that they were buried previous to the time
when the stalagmite started to form.
There are many other caves in the vicinity of Hines' Cave for
this region is underlaid by the St. Genevieve limestone which is
the chief cavernous formation of the state. Three or four of these
are within a few minutes' walk from Hines' Cave and may be as
rich in archaeological material but they have not yet been
explored. Most of these caves are well-known to the inhabitants of
the region, who, however, take very little interest in them and visit
them only occasionally for a picnic or as suitable places for the
storing of potatoes in winter. The children use them as playhouses
and go to the entrances to build "campfires," hull walnuts or hunt
arrow heads.
One of these caves, called "Cooper's Cave," has extensive
clay deposits which have been mined either by the early settlers,
by the Indians or by prehistoric people, for the marks of the tools
are still visible in the clay banks in the farther parts of the cave.
There is a tradition that this clay was once mined for fire-brick but
it would be very poor quality for this purpose. This cave is very
wet with the result that it is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. Also
it has a series of clay rooms, on three levels through which the
water flows in wet weather. An interesting formation in this cave
is the large number of "bathtub" basins of many sizes whose
irregular vertical sides have been built up from the drip from the
roof and which are usually full of clear, cold water. The walls in
some places are almost solidly covered by the cave crickets and
the ceilings furnish the roosting-place for thousands of bats. So far
as we know this cave has never been excavated but from the
abundant evidences of its use by man for various purposes, we are
inclined to include it as another former home of the cave-dwellers.
THE CAVE DWELLERS 135
The "Hogg Cave" also on the Hines farm is not so large as the
other two but has several good sized chambers and contains very
beautiful stalactites. It has two outlets in sinks a short distance away.
The floor has not been investigated but on the surface were picked
up a number of artifacts and one human femur which had been
gnawed by wild beasts.
FIG. 70. GNAWED BY WILD BEASTS.
Human femur found in Hogg Cave, Wayne County.
Some Lake Area Cave info:
http://www.uky.edu/OtherO…/…/books/funk ... bbch06.pdf
several
mummies have been found in the caves in Kentucky encased in
clothing.
The cave which has yielded the most material of any which we
have personally investigated is at Mills Spring in Wayne
THE CAVE DWELLERS 129
County about half-way between Burnside and Monticello. The cave is
located on the farm of Hon. J. S. Hines and is known locally as the
"Hines Cave." This region is rather famous historically since it is
adjacent to Price's Meadow and Mills Spring where the "Long
Hunters" who came to Kentucky from Virginia and North Carolina
about 1770 are supposed to have camped for two years or more.
Zollicoffer's entrenchments are still visible across the Cumberland
River. The cave itself is extensive and is ideally situated for
habitation. The land slopes from it gradually to the river, providing an
excellent place for the cultivation of crops; the entrance to the cave is
wide and
PHOTO BY A. S. HENDRICK
FIG. 67. ENTRANCE TO HINES CAVE.
Once occupied by prehistoric man.
high and the first chamber to which it leads is roomy and dry; the
mouth is flanked by high cliffs which protect it from wind, rain and
snow; the bottom is level and the light penetrates for a considerable
distance from the entrance. Altogether it affords a shelter which must
have been most desirable to a primitive race.
The entrance to this cave is about twenty feet high and opens
into a room approximately 145 feet long and sixty feet wide and
extends back for an unknown distance but the portions beyond the
first chamber are separated by narrow passages which are now
difficult to pass through because of the long accumulation of soil,
rocks and debris which has been washed into them. The rock floor of
this first chamber was struck at a depth of about twelve feet at the
entrance and about six feet
A. L. K.—5
130 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
in the rear. The cave was first examined in 1922 by a party consisting
of Professor A. M. Miller, Doctor A. S. Hendrick, Doctor W. E. Tait,
Victor K. Dodge, J. W. McCollum, Leland Snoddy, Professor J. M.
Davis, Miss Bessie Conkwright and the authors and has been visited
at various times and by various parties since that date. On two
occasions rather extensive explorations were made and considerable
time devoted to the examination of this and other nearby caves.
FIG. 68. A CAMP AT HINES CAVE.
Exploring party of 1922.
The floor of the Hines cave was trenched and found to contain
the usual ash layers and the remains of many fires. Around these
camp-fire sites were found most of the artifacts not found in the
graves, particularly awls, needles and skinning-knives; in the ash
beds were numerous animal bones. Also near the surface were layers
of light-colored earth which probably represented the leachings from
salt-petre which was in early days extensively mined in this cave
according to local tradition.
Skeletons were found at different layers and undoubtedly
represented different groups. The most superficial graves were found
near the walls and contained skeletons which appear quite modern;
the deepest graves were near the center and contained skeletons
which we believe to be very primitive. Altogether about twenty
graves were opened and from these were obtained nine fairly
complete skeletons and four additional skulls from
THE CAVE DWELLERS 131
skeletons which were not in condition to be removed. Some of the
graves were of considerable interest. In one, for example, was found
the skeleton of a dog beside that of the man.
In another was found the skeleton of a young woman who had
more than the usual number of ornaments and decorations and who
must have been a person of some importance in the tribe if we may
judge from these decorations and the care which had been taken with
the grave. She lay on her right side with her knees flexed, her right
arm beneath and her left arm across her body. An arrow-head was
found between her ribs. On both upper and lower arms and on her
right leg above the knee were the remains of strings of very small
shell beads. Around her neck was a sort of collar made of large
shells.
Most curious of all, she held in her hand what must have been
her most cherished possession for it remained encircled by her
skeleton fingers after all the years; it was simply a shining bit of
mica, about three inches in diameter and nearly circular. Its use is of
course conjectural. Whether it was her mirror or her vanity we do not
know—she must have been a typical flapper of her day—but the
evidence of the desire for ornamentation can not be denied.
Incidentally the character of this mica would indicate that it came
from North Carolina and it is difficult to refrain from conjecturing as
to how it was obtained by its final owner. Was she a North Carolina
girl? Had her lover found this shining trinket and brought it as a gift?
Had it been secured by barter from a wandering brave or had it been
taken from the body of a slain enemy? We are tempted into the realm
of romance where scientists are not supposed to venture.
Another skeleton—that of an old man—was of a quite primitive
type. The skull showed a sloping forehead, strong superaorbital
ridges and high cheek bones and the skeleton was very strongly
ossified. The peculiarity of this skeleton was the fact that the top of
the skull and the front of the tibiae showed lesions which were very
suggestive of syphilis. It is an interesting occurrence suggesting that
perhaps the venereal diseases of today were prevalent in prehistoric
times. This discovery tends to support somewhat a theory which has
been advanced to the
132 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
effect that these diseases originated in the New World and were first
carried to Europe by early sailors.
FIG. 69. OLD MAN FROM HINES' CAVE.
Showing lesion on top of skull which may have been caused by a venereal disease.
Another grave contained the bodies of mother and child with the
babe against the mother's breast. Still another grave showed on the
rocks which were pressed over the skeleton the imprint of a woven
bark fiber which might have formed a burial garment and which
lends support to a story told by natives that skeletons "wrapped in
carpet" had been found in a neighboring cave about thirty years ago.
The remains of eight skeletons
THE CAVE DWELLERS 133
were found in one pit and although the bones were in bad condition
they did not appear to have been thrown into the grave without
regard to position as is so often the case in the multiple burials in
mounds, but were carefully placed side by side with the heads bent
forward and the knees doubled up under the chin.
This cave was rich in artifacts, the most abundant of which were
stone hoes, flint arrow-heads, bone awls, bone needles, flint skinning
knives, bone and flint drills and shell beads. A few of the artifacts
represent rare and valuable types. Among these was a remarkable
pendant of bone, most artistically fashioned and highly polished with
the hole drilled horizontally through a flat projection at the top. Other
unusual pieces included a clay pipe of unique design, a peculiar type
of agricultural implement and several pieces of pottery of curious
shape and decoration. The best and most unusual of these objects
were found in the deeper graves which quite evidently represented
the oldest culture in the cave.
The cave contained an unusually large number of animal bones
which were gathered up and carried from the cave by the hundred.
From these bones it was possible to recognize the remains of several
distinct groups of animals. The carnivores were represented by the
wolf, bear, wild-cat, raccoon and fox, the ungulates by the deer, elk
and buffalo, the marsupials by the opossum, the rodents by the
muskrat, squirrel, rabbit and beaver, and the birds by the wild turkey,
crane and quail. The only reptilian remains were turtle shells and the
only fish bones were those of the gar which is still to be found in the
Cumberland River. Mussel shells were abundant as were also snails.
Many of these bones had been washed back under low overhanging
ledges at the sides and rear of the cave where they were packed in
jumbled masses. The commonest ones were those of the deer and
buffalo which seem to have been the chief items of the animal diet of
these people.
Of course the always important question as to the age of the
skeletons and artifacts is again a moot one. We believe however that
they are very old. One reason for this belief is the fact that a number
of the artifacts were found beneath a giant stalagmite nearly eight
feet in diameter which stood at the entrance to the cave and reached
nearly to its roof. How long it
134 ANCIENT LIFE IN KENTUCKY
took this colossal mass to form we do not know, for of course
stalagmitic growth depends upon the drip of the calcareous water
from the ceiling and this varies with the season. We know that in
some cases it takes many centuries for even small ones to be
deposited and the time required even under the most favorable
circumstances to produce a stalagmite of this size must have been
very great. Yet when by the use of dynamite this was dislodged
we found beneath it many artifacts and some human remains
which would indicate that they were buried previous to the time
when the stalagmite started to form.
There are many other caves in the vicinity of Hines' Cave for
this region is underlaid by the St. Genevieve limestone which is
the chief cavernous formation of the state. Three or four of these
are within a few minutes' walk from Hines' Cave and may be as
rich in archaeological material but they have not yet been
explored. Most of these caves are well-known to the inhabitants of
the region, who, however, take very little interest in them and visit
them only occasionally for a picnic or as suitable places for the
storing of potatoes in winter. The children use them as playhouses
and go to the entrances to build "campfires," hull walnuts or hunt
arrow heads.
One of these caves, called "Cooper's Cave," has extensive
clay deposits which have been mined either by the early settlers,
by the Indians or by prehistoric people, for the marks of the tools
are still visible in the clay banks in the farther parts of the cave.
There is a tradition that this clay was once mined for fire-brick but
it would be very poor quality for this purpose. This cave is very
wet with the result that it is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. Also
it has a series of clay rooms, on three levels through which the
water flows in wet weather. An interesting formation in this cave
is the large number of "bathtub" basins of many sizes whose
irregular vertical sides have been built up from the drip from the
roof and which are usually full of clear, cold water. The walls in
some places are almost solidly covered by the cave crickets and
the ceilings furnish the roosting-place for thousands of bats. So far
as we know this cave has never been excavated but from the
abundant evidences of its use by man for various purposes, we are
inclined to include it as another former home of the cave-dwellers.
THE CAVE DWELLERS 135
The "Hogg Cave" also on the Hines farm is not so large as the
other two but has several good sized chambers and contains very
beautiful stalactites. It has two outlets in sinks a short distance away.
The floor has not been investigated but on the surface were picked
up a number of artifacts and one human femur which had been
gnawed by wild beasts.
FIG. 70. GNAWED BY WILD BEASTS.
Human femur found in Hogg Cave, Wayne County.