The rock from which Russell Cave was carved was formed over 300 million years ago at the bottom of an inland sea covering the region.

Due to continental drift, the area that is now northeast Alabama was located very close to the Equator at the time this limestone was forming.

Rainwater, mildly acidic from atmospheric carbon dioxide, slowly dissolved a portion of the limestone rock, resulting in the formation of the cave.

About 9,000 to 12,000 years ago, the collapse of a cavern roof beneath a hillside near Doran's Cove created a sinkhole and exposed Russell Cave.

A rockfall from the cavern roof diverted the stream to one side, however, exposing a portion of the cave floor.

[7] In the 1960s, after the cave had been excavated, the United States Bureau of Mines installed 15-ft-long (4.5 m) bolts as supports to prevent additional collapses of limestone rock.

[8] The cave mouth faces to the east, preventing the ingress of cold north and northwest winds and allowing in the morning sun.

A natural spring flows into the cave and travels underground for 1.5 mi (2.5 km) before joining Widow's Creek, and ultimately the Tennessee River.

Chipped flint points and charcoal from campfires provide evidence that occupation of Russell Cave began nearly 10,000 years ago[10] by Native Americans in the southeastern Archaic period.

[11] Evidence indicating occupation in autumn and winter include deer bones and passenger pigeon remains.

However, William J. Clench has suggested that the occupants may have brought mussels and snails to store in nearby bodies of water (Dry Creek and/or Crownover Springs) for use as needed including in autumn or winter.

[12] Based on the existing information, Griffin is "strongly inclined" to view Russell Cave as a place of winter occupancy.

[11] In addition to serving as a shelter (presumably for several related families totaling 15 to 30 individuals[8]), the cave would have provided a constant source of water as temperatures in the protected area remained above freezing.

The chief weapon of these occupants was a short spear (tipped with a stone point), which was propelled by an atlatl (throwing stick).

Around 1000 BCE, the implements of the Native Americans occupying Russell Cave underwent a dramatic change.

In the seasons away from the cave, the natives probably joined other groups at summer villages larger than those of the Archaic period.

Due to the establishment of permanent settlements, locations such as Russell Cave were used only sporadically by Native Americans, usually as stopovers for hunting and trading parties.

[11] The expedition of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed within 100 mi (160 km) of Russell Cave in 1540.

The bodies, ranging in age from infant to 50 years,[7] were buried in shallow pits in the cave floor and were not accompanied by artifacts.

The first relics were discovered in 1953 when four members from the Tennessee Archeological Society and University of Chattanooga began digging in the cave.

[7] Upon realizing the extent and importance of the site, they contacted the Smithsonian Institution, which conducted three seasons (1956–1958) of archeological digs in cooperation with the National Geographic Society.

Studies of historical geology and paleobotany have shown that the flora and fauna of the Eastern Forest Region remained essentially unchanged for thousands of years.

Although the site is now south of the southern boundary of the porcupine range, their bones have been found in digs at the earliest occupational levels.

In the center, guests can view museum exhibits, watch documentary films about the lifestyles of prehistoric peoples, or purchase items from the gift shop or bookstore.

[25] Guided tours of the cave shelter are conducted by National Park Service Interpretative Rangers.

The cave shelter includes the areas that were occupied by the prehistoric groups and features a diorama depicting activities of the occupants.

Weapons demonstrations include flintknapping to produce points (arrowheads), use of the atlatl for spear throwing, and use of a bow and arrow.

Russell Cave National Monument is Site 44 on the Northeastern Loop of the North Alabama Birding Trail.