Park Information
Photo by Rob Sanders
Ancient Native American cave art was discovered in Dunbar Cave on January 15, 2005, by Larry E. Matthews, Amy Wallace, Joe Douglas, and Billyfrank Morrison. Once a new, bat friendly gate had been constructed to protect the cave and this significant discovery, Dr. Jan Simek from the University of TN described and discussed the find during a public ceremony on July 29, 2006.
Dr. Jan Simek and his research team continue to study and document the cave art. The find is significant in that North American cave art is rare and important to the understanding of ancient Native American cultures. Since Dunbar Cave is a protected, state owned natural area, the public can view these rare archeological features during guided cave tours.
Learn more about Prehistoric use of caves here.
Article by Dr. Charles H. Faulkner, University of TN on Native American Cave Art in the Southern Appalachians.
Mission of Dunbar Cave State Park:
Dunbar Cave State Park will preserve, protect, and interpret the indigenous Mississippian artwork present inside Dunbar Cave as well as the broader human use of the cave and its surroundings. We will strive to reverently connect the public with this sacred place through professional interpretation, programming, and resource management. These efforts will be made in a way that always first considers the sacred nature of the cave and the artwork to modern indigenous people.
Call or visit Dunbar Cave State Park today.
Park Location:
401 Old Dunbar Cave Road Clarksville, TN 37043
Phone: 931-648-5526
Park Hours: 8AM – Sunset
Office Hours: 8AM – 4:30PM
Click here to visit the State Park page
Dunbar Cave State Park Visitors Center.
Photo by Larry Safko
Photo by Rob Sanders