ClipArt ETC

The Caves ClipArt gallery offers 13 illustrations of underground spaces large enough for a human to enter. This gallery includes illustrations of caverns, sea caves, rock shelters, and grottos.

Basaltic Columns at Finagl's Cave in Scotland. It is formed entirely from hexagonally-jointed basalt.

Basaltic Columns

Basaltic Columns at Finagl's Cave in Scotland. It is formed entirely from hexagonally-jointed basalt.

A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter.

Cave

A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter.

An illustration of a cliff with with a cave. A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter.

Cave

An illustration of a cliff with with a cave. A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a…

"Diagram to illustrate the form and relations of caverns developed by solution. The black spaces represent caverns. Some limestone sinks are represented at the surface where the roofs of caves have fallen in." -Salisbury, 1919

Cavern Formation

"Diagram to illustrate the form and relations of caverns developed by solution. The black spaces represent…

Diagram of a cavern, showing different levels of the underground stream.

Diagram of a Cavern

Diagram of a cavern, showing different levels of the underground stream.

"Section of a Limestone Cavern...A limestone hill, perforated by a cavern (b b) which communicates with the valley (v) by an opening (a). The bottom of the cavern is covered with ossiferous loam, above which lies a layer of stalagmite (d d), while stalactites hang from the roof, and by joining the floor separate the cavern into two chambers." -Geikie, 1893

Limestone Cavern

"Section of a Limestone Cavern...A limestone hill, perforated by a cavern (b b) which communicates with…

"Section of a Limestone Cavern with fallen-in roof and concealed entrance." -Geikie, 1893

Limestone Cavern

"Section of a Limestone Cavern with fallen-in roof and concealed entrance." -Geikie, 1893

A section of a cave created by percolated rain water.

Caves

A section of a cave created by percolated rain water.

"Cornwallis' Cave, the excavation in the marl bluff."—Lossing, 1851

Cornwallis' Cave

"Cornwallis' Cave, the excavation in the marl bluff."—Lossing, 1851

An example of a typical cave dwelling from the Stone Age.

Cave Dwelling

An example of a typical cave dwelling from the Stone Age.

"Killing's Cave, on the banks of the Potomac, near Sharpsburg, the place of refuge of many citizens during the battle of Antietam. A glance at the map of the battle of Antietam will enable our readers to perceive how terribly exposed the little town of Sharpsburg was during the conflict, situated as it was almost between two fires; for, however anxious the Federal generals might be to spare the town, it was impossible to prevent many of the shot and shell from falling into its midst. In the cellar of the Kretzer mansion were congregated men, women and children, all spellbound as they listened to the terrible thunder of the battle. They could tell by the whiz and the awful explosions every now and then how near to them was the work of destruction; and their terror rose to perfect agony whe a shell exploded before one of the opening which gave them a dim light and was the chief means of ventiliation in this chamber of horrors. Of a similar character is our sketch of the cave of refuge near Sharpsburg, and situated on the banks of the Potomac."— Frank Leslie, 1896

Killing's Cave

"Killing's Cave, on the banks of the Potomac, near Sharpsburg, the place of refuge of many citizens…

The entrance to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.

Mammoth Cave

The entrance to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky.

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was even heavier. As the barrages continued, suitable housing in Vicksburg was reduced to a minimum. A ridge, located between the main town and the rebel defense line, provided a diverse citizenry with lodging for the duration. Over 500 caves were dug into the yellow clay hills of Vicksburg. Whether houses were structurally sound or not, it was deemed safer to occupy these dugouts.

Cave Life in Vicksburg

During the siege, Union gunboats lobbed over 22,000 shells into the town and army artillery fire was…