Mammoth Cave has over 365 miles of surveyed passageways, twice as long as any other cave in
the world. Geologists think there could be 600 more miles of undiscovered trails.
Tour begins here. Because of heavy rains in the area,
many caves were not open as the water was streaming down the entrance stairs!
The cave is unlike any we have ever seen because sandstone covers the top of the area so no water seeps through the limestone to form stalagtites (tight to the ceiling) or stalagmites. So the caves look like this and gypsum is on the sides of the caves. A few stalagmites are here on the floor.
The cave at one time served as a mine for saltpeter, an ingredient necessary to the manufacture of gunpowder. The ammunition was used in the war of 1812. Slaves mined here.
This is the doctor's office in the Mammoth Cave! Once a tuberculosis unit of 15 men stayed here for eight months because they were not breathing any contaminants from above. Of course, they were lighting fires all the time, cooking meals and living in a 56 degree environment. They determined it was a failure.
This is our guide-his grandfather was a guide through the caves also. This is the type of lantern they used in the caves until more modern lanterns were used. Now the cave portion we entered had all subdued electric lights. This lantern was fueled by pork fat/oil.
This was an ingenious method used by the slaves to earn money as they were tour guides. Sticks were covered with cloth, dipped in hot lamp oil, and letters were dabbed on the ceiling. Slaves were very grateful for the tips they were given. Of course, if you did this now, a huge fine would be paid by you!
Upon leaving the one tour of Mammoth Cave, we determined that Carlsbad Caverns are just the most amazing and beautiful caverns in the world. But we loved seeing this one for its uniqueness. We didn't take but one tour because, although we'd learn lots more history, they would be somewhat the same.
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