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"Hines Cave, about six miles from Monticello (Kentucky), yielded the most remains of any in Kentucky. The cave is spacious and well drained. The entrance is protected from wind, rain and snow by high cliffs, yet well lighted for some distance. The bottom is level and dry and this must have been a desirable shelter to the people who occupied it. There were remains from many fires and in the graves were many artifacts, awls, needles and skinning knives; in the ash beds were bones of many animals. In one grave was found the skeleton of a young woman with a round piece of shining mica of the type that comes from North Carolina. Many skeletons were found and many more artifacts, stone hoes, flint arrowheads, pipes, pottery, and textiles. Animal bones were those of a wolf, bear, rabbit, turkey, quail, turtle shells, and mussel shells. "

This excerpt from the book "Ancient Life in Kentucky"(1928) by Webb and W.D. Funkhouser makes clear the significance of this burial and habitation site of the Cherokee people. Reports indicate that Hines Cave, or Doublehead cave, (15WN1, NAGPRA designation number) was used for at least 20000 years by indigenous peoples. Yet, once again it is the target of massive grave robbing and looting. About 1994 it was reported to authorities that wholesale grave digging was going on at the cave. Dennis Banks of the American Indian Movement, Dave Pollack of the Kentucky Heritage Council, and others observed that human bones, including the skull of a small child, were in mass profusion throughout the entrance area. The Kentucky State Police were notified but no investigation is ever known to have been done. In Kentucky it is a class D felony to disturb a native burial and desecrating a cave is also illegal. Reports were made at this time to the proper law authorities and nothing was ever done. Shortly thereafter it was noted that the cave entrance had been bulldozed. Again no investigation was done by the Kentucky State Police even after many calls. Reports are that the owner, Nick Cooley ordered the bulldozing of the cave entrance to provide shelter for his cows. He has reportedly admitted it to several people including individuals of the Kentucky Heritage Council which also encompasses the Kentucky Native American Cultural Commission, that he ordered the bulldozing, and nothing was done about it in spite of the state law against cave desecration and disturbance of a native burial.

Recent developments: The Kentucky Bureau of Investigations concluded that there was no proof this was a burial site. Therefore, an investigation of the reports of grave looting is unfounded. Why is this tragic situation allowed to continue? There are state and federal laws to prevent this from occurring, but they are not being enforced. Stand with us and demand the enforcement of pertinent laws and help stop this ghoulish practice.