Testing and Monitoring and Paleontological Assessment of Selected Cave Trail Segments in Mammoth Cave

This document has been prepared in response for a reql.)est from Mammoth Cave National Park (MACA) for a proposal to conduct archaeological testing and monitoring and paleontological assessment along selected tt·ail segments within Manunoth Cave that will be rehabilitated in coming years. The archaeological and paleontological work will be conducted prior to initiation of and tt·ail rehabilitation activities. In this way the archaeological and paleontological work can provide input into the engineering and logistics of the tt·ail segment rehabilitation. The goals of this project are multiple, and include l) obtaining a robust sample of archaeological and paleontological materials from portions of the tt·ails that will be affected by the proposed rehabilitation effmis; 2) increasing our understanding of the prehistoric occupations in Manunoth Cave; 3) contributing to the Mammoth Cave paleontological data base; and 4) protecting both the archaeological and paleontological deposits from future damage. This project has several components, including l) development of a detailed and comprehensive research design for the project that addresses both archaeological and paleontological assessment; 2) conducting field work in the fom1 of limited excavations that provide a sample of both the archaeological and paleontological deposits; 3) processing, analysis, and interpretation of the materials recovered; 4) preparation of a comprehensive report on the project; and 5) monitoring of the tt·ail rehabilitation. The following sections provide a brief discussion of the methods that will be employed to address all of these project components. This discussion is followed first by comments on the accompanying budget and the rationale used to develop it, then by a synopsis ofthe qualifications of key persmmel.