What was discovered in Mammoth Cave?

Besides the remains that have been discovered in the portion of the cave accessible through the Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave, the remains of cane torches used by Native Americans, as well as other artifacts such as drawings, gourd fragments, and woven grass moccasin slippers are found in the Salts Cave section of ...



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The 325 million-year-old fossil-rich limestones of the Mammoth Cave System were formed during the Late Paleozoic, during a time period known to geologists as the Mississippian Period. The park staff reported a few fossil shark teeth exposed in the cave walls of Ste. Genevieve Limestone in several locations.

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Younger fossils (hundreds to thousands of years old) represent bears, raccoons, woodrats, and many bats that utilized the cave before humans started to visit it. Ongoing research will undoubtably uncover more fossil remains, but so far, no mammoths have been found in Mammoth Cave!

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The deepest point in Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is called the “Bottomless Pit.” Despite its name, this pit is not actually bottomless. It is estimated to be around 140 feet (42.7 meters) deep.

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Native people visited these caves year-round. They carried out a wide range of activities within the caves: habitation, exploration, mineral mining, ceremonies/rituals, and burial.

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Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored, and one of the oldest tour attractions in North America. Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system, a part of the Green River Valley, and the rolling hills of south central Kentucky.

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There is no designated swimming area in the park and no lifeguards on duty.

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What is the temperature inside the cave? Temperatures inside the cave vary somewhat, but usually hover around 54°F (12.2°C), year-round.

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In addition to this rich diversity of primitive sharks at Mammoth Cave, two partial cartilaginous skeletons of different species of sharks occur within Mammoth Cave. One specimen was discovered by a caver with the Cave Research Foundation and the other has been known by the park guides for years.

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