Original scientific paper

Geoarchaeology of Croatian caves

Katarina Gerometta orcid.org/0000-0002-9601-4911 ; Centre for interdisciplinary research in landscape archeology, Faculty of Humanities, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula
Giovanni Boschian orcid.org/0000-0003-4324-6353 ; Department of Biology, University of Pisa

Abstract

This paper discusses the key physical characteristics, formation processes, and postdepositional modifications of
several sediment types commonly encountered during excavations in caves of archaeological interest in Croatia,
from the Adriatic coast to the hinterland. The geoarchaeological study of these sediments was conducted
through field observations, sedimentological analyses, and micromorphological examination of thin sections from
undisturbed soil and sediment samples. Although their properties vary considerably depending on the specific
site conditions and the environmental context of the surrounding areas, these sediments share a common origin.
As such, they offer valuable insights into climatic changes during the later phases of the Late Upper Pleistocene
and the Early and Middle Holocene, as well as, most interestingly into human activities within the caves, reflecting
adaptations to shifting environmental conditions.

Keywords

geoarchaeology, caves, Late Upper Pleistocene, Holocene, Croatia

Hrčak ID:

343507

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/343507

Publication date:

17.1.2026.

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