Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 03/17/1987
NRHP Listing Date 09/10/1987
NRHP Reference Number 87001531
The Bull Thistle Cave in Tazewell County holds an undisturbed archaeological deposit containing human osteological remains and artifacts relating to its use as a place of burial during the later half of the Late Woodland Period (ca. A.D. 1300-1700). The site is the best preserved example of a Late Woodland Period vertical drop burial cave known in Virginia. The burial deposit should contribute valuable data on the age, sex, stature, health, genetic relationship, as well as religious practices of the Indians of Southwest Virginia. It is likely the cave also contains intact deposits useful for determining the paleo environment of the region.
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Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: June 10, 2021
