Prehistoric mining of epsomite and mirabilite by Native Americans in the Mammoth Cave system and other caves in the Southeast has been thoroughly documented. Sometimes it was even consumed in situ for medicinal and/or ceremonial purgative effects.
It is very likely that this occurred in the SW, too. Obviously any formations that disappeared historically were the victims of vandalism. But breakage or damage to the cave surface around the locations of these minerals might be prehistoric. Of course, vandalism would also destroy such evidence of prehistoric use. Probably not applicable in this case, but something to look out for. I would be interested to know of SW caves where these minerals occur or have been known to occur in quantity, particularly in conjunction with coprolites, or of any possible evidence for prehistoric mineral mining of any kind within our region's caves. Not to hijack the thread or anything. _______________________________________________ SWR mailing list s...@caver.net http://lists.caver.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/swr _______________________________________________ This list is provided free as a courtesy of CAVERNET
