Theopetra cave (Trikala) in central Greece has a north-facing entrance about 17 m wide, and people used it on and off for over 130,000 years. Excavator Nina Kiparici Apostolaki read stones at the mouth as a deliberate barrier dated 24,000-22,000 years ago — though she cautions such stones can accumulate naturally. 🧐
Possible stone barrier at Theopetra cave (Trikala) dated to 24,000-22,000 years ago
GreeceArchitecture
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Key facts
- Theopetra cave (Trikala) opens onto a valley in central Greece, with an entrance about 17 m wide facing north.
- People used the cave on and off for more than 130,000 years, including during some of the coldest conditions of the last ice age.
- Across the entrance, archaeologists found a mass of mostly medium-sized stones mixed with larger rocks that had fallen from the cave ceiling.
- Excavator Nina Kiparici Apostolaki interpreted some of the stones as deliberately placed, forming a barrier that kept out animals and sheltered occupants from extreme weather.
- Reported dating puts the barrier between 24,000 and 22,000 years ago, about twice the age of the hunting structures discussed earlier.
- The presenter stresses the interpretation is only possible: stones at a cave mouth can accumulate naturally, and not every part of the barrier is certain.
Sources
sciencealert.com
Linked in video description
archaeology.org
Linked in video description
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