Review article

The Middle and Early Upper Paleolithic in Croatia

Ivor Karavanić orcid.org/0000-0003-1452-8394 ; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivor Janković orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-6885 ; Institut for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the principle sites,
interpretations and knowledge gained in the study
of the Middle and early Upper Paleolithic in Croatia.
Particular attention is accorded to the results of more
recent research and newer interpretations of earlier
research essential to the reconstruction of the
behavior and adaptations of the Neandertals, their
disappearance and the appearance of early modern
Europeans. The Neandertals were equally capable of
adapting to the different environments in continental
(Northwestern) Croatia and Mediterranean Croatia
(Dalmatia). Archeological materials from Northwestern
Croatia (Vindija Cave) indicate the transition
from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic, the ties of
the Neandertals to the initial Upper Paleolithic and
possible encounters between Neandertals and early
modern humans. On the other hand, there is a 10,000
year gap between the late Middle Paleolithic (Mujina
Pećina) and the early Upper Paleolithic (Šandalja II) of
the Eastern Adriatic region, with a visible difference in
tool production methods and typology. Over the past
fifteen years, knowledge on the Paleolithic in Croatia
has been considerably supplemented and enhanced,
which is the result of research at several sites using
cutting-edge methods as well as thorough analyses
of materials excavated previously.

Keywords

Paleolithic; Mousterian; Aurignacian; Neandertals; early modern humans; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

21607

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/21607

Publication date:

1.4.2008.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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