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A Natural Rock Shelter in Northern Alabama [Video]
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Ancient America Landscape Photography Travel Video

A Natural Rock Shelter in Northern Alabama [Video]

Keith Dotson
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Checking out a natural rock shelter in the hills of Northern Alabama with possibly ancient carbon stains from campfire smoke

I came upon this beautiful, natural rock shelter on a hike in Little River Falls Canyon in the hills of Northern Alabama. There are a lot of carbon stains from campfires on the ceiling of the shelter, which makes me wonder how far back the usage may go.

In this shelter, there appear to be visible stains from more recent campfires, but the soot on the ceiling above could potentially stretch back for eons. Here’s a quote from a National Park Service document: “The cultural resources located within Little River Canyon National Preserve represent more than 10,000 years of human habitation and history in the region. There are more than 150 archeological sites within the preserve, including rock shelters with archeological materials.”

Little River Canyon National Preserve is also the deepest canyon in the State of Alabama, and one of the deepest east of the Mississippi River.

One of the rock shelters to be found in Little River Canyon National Preserve in the hills of Northern Alabama. Could those black stains be from ancient campfires?

If you go, remember that looting and metal detecting are not allowed in the protected areas. Please don’t disturb Native American sites and don’t steal artifacts.

Are you an expert? What can you see in this brief video clip?

I realize it’s a poor quality video, shot in a very dark space, but if you’re an archaeologist or other expert on such things, be sure to comment or send an email and let me know what you can see in the video.

iPhone photographs from the site

The view from the trail. To the left, staying on the upper trail; to the right, a rugged descent down to the river's edge. The rock shelter is just beside that tree trunk and beneath the rocks of the upper trail.
The view from the trail. To the left, staying on the upper trail; to the right, a rugged descent down to the river’s edge. The rock shelter is just beside that tree trunk and beneath the rocks of the upper trail.
Yours truly, sitting on a big boulder just before a shimmy down. The rock shelter is just to my immediate left.
Yours truly, sitting on a big boulder just before a shimmy down. The rock shelter is just to my immediate left.
Looking down. It wasn't a far drop, but not may options for a foothold.
Looking down. It wasn’t a far drop, but not may options for a foothold.

I’m wearing a pair of Irish Setter hiking boots from Red Wing. I love them — a lot. Check out a selection of Irish Setter hiking boots on Amazon here.

Thanks for reading

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~ Keith

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Sources

NPS.Gov. “Foundation Document, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama.” PDF. Accessed July 12, 2021.

NOTE: This blog post contains an Amazon Affiliate link. I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.

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