This book describes several dozen of the larger and more interesting caves developed along the South Cumberland Plateau Escarpment in Franklin, Grundy, and Marion Counties, Tennessee. Some of these caves were explored in prehistoric times by the Indians. Others were used by the early pioneers for the production of saltpeter, the main ingredient of gunpowder. Modern exploration began in earnest in the 1950s and continues today. This is the story of the exploration of these caves, told in the words of the original explorers and surveyors wherever possible.

CAVES OF THE SOUTH CUMBERLAND PLATEAU is lavishly illustrated with 44 maps and 274 photographs. This, and more, awaits you in this fascinating book that you will find hard to put down.