By Michael Johnson
A National Cave Research Association (NCRA) field director,
Maureen Sanford, recently announced a previously unknown cave that was found in
Monacan Park, off of US route 130 in Amherst County, VA. This discovery was totally unexpected because
the park had long been mapped. Also,
nothing in Monacan lore speaks of their using caves.
This cave was stumbled upon by an area hiker, Randy Marsh,
whose dog began chasing squirrels up a little stream that runs into the river. The entrance was now exposed because of heavy
rains in the area that dislodged a boulder.
Marsh immediately contacted NCRA, who sent Sanford to confirm the find.
The cave entrance had escaped detection not only because of
the rock cliff, but the boulder itself was covered by thick brush and thicket. Even Google Earth was not able to map
it. The NCRA now has laser-based
measuring devices that are able to give dead-accurate measurements without
over-estimation. There results show a
60-by-300 feet cave.
Sanford is now exploring the cave with a team of Liberty
University researchers, including undergrads.
If past history holds true, the cave should be mapped and accessible to
cave explorers within the next 12 months.
This new cave offers irresistible inquiry into whether there are Monacan
artifacts or even cave art.
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