Professional paper

The Archaeology of Veternica Cave

Marko Banda

Abstract

Veternica Cave is an archaeological site on the southwestern part of Medvednica mountain. Finds dating from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Roman period were found in the Pleistocene and Holocene deposits in the entrance part of the cave. This paper provides an overview of the archaeological phenomena from the site, the history of research, the chronostratigraphy and the insights gained from a recent revision of the Middle Palaeolithic artefacts. Neanderthals inhabited the cave intermittently with cave bears during the Upper Pleistocene, leaving behind Middle Palaeolithic stone and bone tools, fireplaces and the remains of exploited animals. The results of the recent analysis point to the flexibility and adaptability of Neanderthals in terms of stone and bone tool production and use. This example highlights the importance of revisions of previously excavated materials and the potential insights that may be gained.

Keywords

Veternica; archaeology; Palaeolithic

Hrčak ID:

314781

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/314781

Publication date:

23.2.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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