CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Officials at Dunbar Cave State Park reported that the oldest cave art in the U.S. was “completely submerged,” which “has never happened before.”
Dunbar Cave State Park is in Clarksville, which experienced severe flooding last week. The flooding was “several feet higher” than levels recorded during the historic flood of 2010 and officials said it was the third flooding event in less than a year at the park.
Boardwalks throughout the cave were damaged, with water measuring six feet deep over one and eight feet deep over another boardwalk at the front of the cave. Slick mud covers the walking surface — between two and five feet deep — making paths treacherous.
Dunbar Cave is home to the oldest cave art in the U.S., which dates back 800 years. Officials said they knew floodwaters submerged the cave art because the ceiling of the connecting path was covered with mud. A thin layer of mud also covers the cave art, with officials adding that some “appear to have sustained damage from sediment in the water abrading the surface.” Archaeologists will assess the damage to the cave art.
The flooding could delay the cave tour season. Additionally, officials said several bats within the cave drowned in the flood.
“Climate change and development have very real implications to the natural world right under our feet…” the Facebook post from Dunbar Cave State Park reads, in part. “It’s an emotional scene inside the cave for our Rangers, but our number one job is to preserve, protect, and share Dunbar Cave – and we will.”
