Indian Caves
Type
Cave System
Climate
Warm and dry inside
Economy
Hunting, fishing, and herding Iguanodons
Secrets
The inhabitants use sophisticated pits to trap and kill large dinosaurs; one cave contains a secret passage through the cliff.
Mood Tags
- •somber
- •mysterious
- •human
- •artistic
Government
Led by an old chief and his son, Maretas.
Size Scale
Numerous dark holes along the cliff base
Description
Caves located in the inner basaltic escarpment of the plateau, inhabited by the Accala Indians.
Inhabitants
The Accala Indians, a wiry, active, and well-built race.
Accessibility
Reached by climbing narrow stone stairs that prevent large animals from entering.
Plot Relevance
The home of the expedition's allies and the site of the final refuge on the plateau.
Culture Customs
- •Use of fire
- •Setting traps for dinosaurs
- •Keeping tame herds of Iguanodons
- •Painting cave walls with charcoal
- •Piercing ears for ornaments
First Appearance
Seen by Malone from the gingko tree and later from the lake shore.
Geography Layout
A line of caves hollowed out of soft rock between volcanic basalt and hard granite, facing the central lake.
Languages Spoken
- •Fluent native tongue (Accala)
Notable Features
- •Fires visible from a distance
- •Located eighty feet up the escarpment
- •Narrow and steep stone stairs
- •Smooth gray walls decorated with charcoal sketches of prehistoric animals
Timeline
The Discovery of Fire
Malone observes ruddy patches of light in the caves, confirming the presence of man.
The Toad-Monster Attack
Two massive toad-like monsters attack the Indians on the slope before the caves and are killed by poisoned arrows.
The Secret Map
The young Indian chief provides Malone with a bark map showing the secret exit cave.
