be from the Woodland and even Archaic period. Third Unnamed Cave, for example, possesses the same kind of characteristics such as simple shapes, meandering lines, and geometric patterns similar to other cave art depictions dated to be Archaic. Simek became the founder of the Cave Archeology Research Team at the University of Tennessee in 1996. The team has gone on to produce substantial findings which offer a glimpse into once lost Native American cultures and traditions. Many of the cave images exemplify classic Southeastern Ceremonial Complex (SECC) iconography, which is found widely in Eastern North America in the centuries around 1200 A.D., a part of Mississippian culture that is yet to be fully understood. Much of the artwork related to the SECC is quite gruesome, which has inspired some archaeologists to refer to it as the “Southern Death Cult”. Recurring images include the Toothy Mouth, a round, severed head with gore spilling out of the neck. The face encases weeping eyes and an exaggerated grin. This image is commonly found where dead are buried. Awards and honors 2002 University Citation for Extraordinary Community Service, University of Tennessee 2001- Distinguished Professor of Science, University of Tennessee, Present 2001 University Award for Research and Creative Achievement, University of Tennessee 2001 College of Arts and Sciences Public Service Award, University of Tennessee 2000 Marshall of College of Arts and Sciences Convocation, University of Tennessee 1996 Certificate of Appreciation for Valuable Service to our Natural Heritage. Tennessee Valley Authority Regional Natural Heritage Project 1991 Commencement Flagbearer, College of Liberal Arts. University of Tennessee. 1987 Phi Beta Kappa Certificate of Merit for scholarly achievements in the Social Sciences. 1980 University Fellow. State University of New York, Binghamton. 1976 Honors in Anthropology. University of California, Santa Cruz. 1974 National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Participation Award. Fieldwork 2002–Present Co-director of archaeological survey of Fall Creek Falls State Park(Tennessee) with N. Herrmann and S. Sherwood. 1992–Present Director, fieldwork at various dark zone prehistoric cave art sites in the southeastern USA. 1984- 2002 Co-director of excavations at the Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France), with J-Ph. Rigaud 1986- Excavator at La Micoque, (Dordogne, France), Directed by J-Ph. Rigaud and A. Debenath. 1985- 1986 Analysis of Krapina stone tool assemblage (Croatia). 1983- Test excavations at the Grotte XVI (Dordogne, France), with J-Ph. Rigaud. 1978- 1984 Field supervisor for excavations at Le Flageolet I (Dordogne, France) Directed by J-Ph. Rigaud. 1981- Excavator at