Mammoth Cave National Park: Paleontological resource inventory (sensitive version)

Mammoth Cave National Park (MACA) harbors one of the most paleontologically significant and extensive cave systems globally, with fossils dating from 335 to 2.58 million years ago. A recent inventory revealed a rich tapestry of marine and terrestrial fossils, including rare shark remains, preserved in Mississippian bedrock formed beneath an ancient continental sea. The study also documented Ice Age megafauna such as mastodons and saber-toothed cats, highlighting the park's unparalleled paleontological significance within the National Park Service (NPS). Using photogrammetry, specimen analysis, archival research, and expert consultation, the team systematically mapped the temporal and geospatial distribution of these non-renewable resources. This comprehensive inventory establishes MACA as a critical site for understanding Earth's deep-time biodiversity and provides a foundation for future conservation efforts.

Toomey, R., Tweet, J., & Santucci, V. (2024). Mammoth Cave National Park: Paleontological resource inventory (sensitive version) (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/2306041