Professional paper

Velika Pećina in Kličevica near Benkovac: The Discovery of a Neanderthal Site with many artifacts

Ivor Karavanić orcid.org/0000-0003-1452-8394 ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Department of Archaeology, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Archaeological excavations in Velika Pećina revealed numerous stone artifacts, but very few animal bones. The artifacts were made of local cherts and scrapers were the most commonly found tool. The oldest layers belong to the Pleistocene which probably date to more than 50 000 years ago and contain the Mousterian industry (Middle Paleolithic).  The youngest layers are about around 40 000 years old. Holocene layers were identified only in the entrance area of the cave. Taking into consideration the lithic technology and results of the dating, we can reliably say that the Pleistocene hunter-gatherers using this cave were Neanderthals. 

Keywords

Velika pećina in Kličevica; Middle Paleolithic; Mousterian, Dalmatia; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

197123

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/197123

Publication date:

1.12.2017.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.481 *