Lee Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Freeman JP, Smith GL, Poulson TL, Watson PJ, White WB. 1973. Lee Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky. Bulletin of the National Speleological Society. 35(4):109-126
Lee Cave is located beneath the northwestern edge of Joppa Ridge in Mammoth Cave National Park. This report gives an overview of the cave's geology, mineralization, biology, archeology, and historic highlights. Each area is discussed at length, and figures provide photographic information to accompany the narrative. The surveyed length, in 1972 was 7.55 miles. The trunk contains a thick clastic sediment sequence which varies in facies from cobbles in the west to fine silts and clays in the east. Gypsum, epsomite, and hexahydrite occur as clumps of curved crystals. Blodite occurs as thick crusts. Cave life is sparse: there is a small bat colony and much evidence of cave rats. Smaller animals, except crickets, have not been observed. Pre-Columbian Indians entered the cave. Fragments of cane-torch material and two stone cairns occur. There is no evidence of mining activity.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Freeman, John; Smith, Gordon; Poulson, Thomas; Watson, Patty; White, William
- Units
- CRMO , MACA
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Animals, Archeological Sites, Archeology, Biology, Geography, Geology, History, KY, Lee Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, Minerals, Physical Sciences, Prehistoric Indians