Speleolog, Vol. 71 No. 1, 2023.
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
Publication date:
23.2.2024.
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