In 1974, about 40 miles south of Tucson near the town of
Benson, two teen age boys explored a sink hole formed by a surface collapse
over limestone rock. They crawled through a small opening, the size of a
rounded wire coat hanger, into a passageway that led to a large underground
room--- the first of at least two large rooms that they were to discover and
explore over the next several years.
They were committed to keeping the existence and whereabouts of the cave
an absolute secret so that it would not be “trashed” by unwanted visitors in
such a way as to “kill it.”
Caves
are living ecosystems. When exposed to the air and visited by unmonitored
people who could scratch their names in the rocks, break off samples, or remove
specimens, they die and become inert holes in the earth.
Ultimately, the two young men had to
enlarge the circle of people who knew of the cave from the landowners (the
Kartchners) to state officials whose approval and legislative know-how would be
necessary to preserve the caves in the Arizona State Park system.
25 years after the discovery of this
treasure, the Kartchner caves were opened with a triple air lock entry system,
washable concrete walkways separated from the cave surface and limited lighting
to promote the preservation of the cave’s ecosystem. Because of all these
efforts, these caves are truly preserved.
The Kartchner Caves are unique in the country--- and possibly the world.
For more information about the discovery of the
Kartchner Caves, click
As you can understand, no personal photography was allowed in the caves.
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