The Cave of Theopetra, Kalambaka: Radiocarbon Evidence for 50,000 Years of Human Presence

Abstract

The cave of Theopetra is located on the northeast side of a limestone rock formation, 3 km south of Kalambaka (21°40′46′′E, 39°40′51′′N), in Thessaly, central Greece. It is a unique prehistoric site for Greece, as the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods are present here, bridging the Pleistocene with the Holocene. Several alternations of the climate during the Pleistocene are recognized in its stratigraphy. Among the most striking finds, two human skeletons, one from the Upper Paleolithic period after the Last Glacial Maximum and one from the Mesolithic period, should be emphasized, while in a deep Middle Paleolithic layer, the oldest human footprints, with remains of fire, were uncovered.During the 13 years of excavation, evidence of human activity suitable for radiocarbon dating was collected, such as charcoal samples from hearths and bones from the two human skeletons. The use of proportional counters for the measurement of 14C in combination with the recent improvement of the calibration curve has enabled the production of high-precision reliable ages. Sixty 14C-dated samples, originating from 19 pits and from depths ranging from 0.10 m to 4.20 m, have already provided an absolute time framework for the use of the cave. The earliest limit of human presence probably exceeds 48,000 BP and the latest reaches World War II. Within these limits the 14C dating of samples from consecutive layers, in combination with the archaeological data, permits the resolution of successive anthropogenic and environmental events.

Neolithic Thessaly: radiocarbon dated periods and phases

“…As is the case in other regions as well, it is very difficult to trace the ephemeral remains of highly mobile groups of people, except in caves where they have been protected from both erosion and alluvial or colluvial coverage. That Mesolithic populations indeed used the terrestrial and marine resources in the region of Thessaly is demonstrated by the two caves situated in its far west (Theopetra: compare Kyparissi-Apostolika 2000a;2000b;Facorellis et al 2001) and far east (Cyclops Cave on the island of Youra: compare Sampson et al 2003;Facorellis et al 1998). …”

Using ichnofossils to characterize chert tools: A preliminary study from Southern Iberia

“…A trace fossil is defined as "a morphologically recurrent structure resulting from the life activity of an individual organism (or homotypic organism) modifying the substrate" (Bertling et al, 2006:266). From an archaeological perspective, traces include signs of human biology such as footprints (Roberts & Berger, 1997;Facorellis, Kyparissi, & Maniatis, 2001;Zhang & Li, 2002;Mietto, Avanzini, & Rolandi, 2003;Webb, Cupper, & Robins, 2006;Bennett et al, 2009) and feces (i.e., Callen, 1969;Bryant, 1974;Bryant & Williams-Dean, 1975;Reinhard & Bryant, 1992), as well as signs of predation (bite and gnaw structures). However, signs of human technology and pathological structures are not considered traces.…”

12,800 years ago, Hellas and the World on Fire and Flood

“…The distribution of calibrated C-14 dates during the Upper Paleolithic and Neolithic until present from excavated lithologies in the Thessalian Theopetra Cave (Facorellis et al 2001). Note the data of charcoal infill from the layer just below the overlain Neolithic lithologies (Fig.17), as well as the time gap of more than 1000 years during the cold Younger Dryas period.…”