Here are a few close up shots of the ancient fish trap. Stream biologist Robert Sain is familiar with these, and has seen other fish traps along the French Broad River (near this one)

This Area is just the way I found it. Further excavation will show the actual dept and obvious cuts in the rock material that run against the grain of the rock strata.

I believe this ancient fish trap shows evidence of a culture capable of moving large stones into position, an acute understanding of geometry, hydrodynamics, geological forces on rock, and algorithmic thought.

1. The strata of the main rock is positioned to take the least amount of damage from the water current. Aprox 30°

2. The 90° corner has a method of seperating the fish by their size. Smaler fish are allowd to escape the trap at this junction. Larger fish are directed to the main trench.

3. The main trench is groved and sculpted in a way to prevent larger fish from turning back.

4. Two Buffer zones behind the main trench.

5. Three Chairs carved identical to ones found in an Ohio cave system. Two facing the main trench. The chair in the middle faces the first buffer zone.

6. The trap itself is fed by an aquifer. Rusty (TWRA Agent) reports catching Bass and Striper at the entrance.

Make A Note: I am also guessing there is something in this water that can make me very sick. Some people cannot eat peanuts. I can't go poking my head into ancient aquifers without a gas mask --and I have the hospitals bills to prove this particular theory.

-Mark | August 12, 2011