Hello folks... I'm a new member and am seeking some opinions on some items in this cave behind my house. I "discovered" cave in 1994 and explored it deep. Shortly after entering... it narrows down quickly after about 40 yds. You go from duck-walking to crawling after about another 60 yds. The cave stays fairly wide but with a low ceiling. A small narrow stream runs down center at all times. I've taken many photos of this cave from the front to 1.5 hrs. deep. The streams water source came from an artisan well very deep within. I went further still before it narrowed down to the size of a 55 gal. drum. I still went another 20-30 yds. until it took a right angle to the left and I could see another 20 yds. ahead which then took a right turn. Since I could not turn around and was soaked and cold I crawled backwards until I could turn around. When I decided to start crawling backwards I spotted 3 bats on the ceiling ahead which lead me to believe I was possibly approaching another entrance. I've seen a few bats near the main entrance, crawfish, spotted lizards, spotted frogs along with cave crickets and some spiders. I have not sifted yet near the entrance which is my plan this spring. You can see where a large fire has left its mark on the ceiling there. There are natural shelves on each side of the cave for the first 50 yds. The cave has no choices upon which to ponder as far as getting lost.
I've found several things that I'd like some help in understanding. First of all I'd like to address this etched mud mound I found just past natural light. It's 3 ft. long and 18" high and about 12" thick. The high humidity has taken a toll on it. It's obviously not natural. This mound is located in a very tight spot away from the stream up against the cave wall and the ceiling. There's hardly any room between ceiling and the mounds top. There are many etchings upon this mound that are very faded. There are also several others further back within sight of this first one. And then WAY back are the remains of several more. But this area is very small in size and hard to move around within. These mounds have obviously been shaped or squared up somehow. There's much more to this.... but please review the photos I've posted and see with you think. Please remember all these mounds are in very tight small areas which you can barely crawl up to. Photo 854 is way back in cave with an obvious opening behind it.