Underground waterways sometimes travel miles before they resurface. Therefore, dumping garbage in a sinkhole may contaminate the water of someone who lives several miles away. Caves have been used for centuries by many different people in many different ways. They have provided shelter, served as hide-outs, and been used to store everything from fruits and vegetables to valuable antiques. In many places throughout the world today, caves continue to be used in these ways.
Caves are also sources of historical artifacts.
Scientists, for example, have studied the feces of prehistoric people found in caves to determine what they ate and how they lived. Paintings on cave walls have given us clues about how people worshipped or some of the animals they hunted. The exploration and study of caves is a relatively new science. New caves are being found each year, and with each new discovery comes the possibility for a major scientific breakthrough. The following situations may be discussed as a class.