The Florence Arts and Museums Speaker Series is a monthly program meant to inspire conversations about the history and culture of north Alabama, with a focus on how the past shapes the present. This month, Scott Shaw will deliver his presentation, “Cave Archaeology,” at 2pm on Sunday, January 30th, at the Florence Indian Mound Museum.

Whether used as a shelter from the elements, a source of natural resources, or as an outlet to adventure, caves have been a part of the human experience for millennia. This presentation will provide an overview of the prehistoric and historic use of north Alabama caves over the last 10,000 years.

Scott Shaw, a Tuscumbia native, received a B.S. degree in geography from the University of North Alabama. He worked as an archaeologist between 1989 and 1995 on survey and excavation projects throughout the southeastern United States. Scott has been active in recording, mapping, photographing, and researching caves for over 30 years. He currently serves as Files Director of the Alabama Cave Survey and is presently Archives Division Chief for the National Speleological Society.