Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T03:22:52.989Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Yorgos Facorellis ,
Nina Kyparissi-Apostolika  and
Yannis Maniatis
Yorgos Facorellis*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Archaeometry, N.C.S.R. “Demokritos”, 153 10 Ag. Paraskevi, Greece
Nina Kyparissi-Apostolika
Affiliation:
Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology, Ardittou 34B, 116 36 Athens, Greece
Yannis Maniatis
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Archaeometry, N.C.S.R. “Demokritos”, 153 10 Ag. Paraskevi, Greece
*
Corresponding author. Email: [email protected].
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

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.

Type
II. Our ‘Wet’ Environment
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 43 , Issue 2B: Proceedings of the 17th International Radiocarbon Conference (Part 2 of 3), Conference Editors: Israel Carmi, Elisabetta Boaretto , 2001 , pp. 1029 - 1048
Copyright
Copyright © 2001 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

References

Adam, E. 1999. Preliminary presentation of the Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic stone industries of Theopetra cave, Western Thessaly. British School at Athens Studies 3:266–270.Google Scholar
Ardaens, E. 1978. Geologie de la chaine du Vardussia, comparaison avec le massif du Koziakas (Grèce Continentale). Thèse 3ème cycle. Lille, France. In French.Google Scholar
Arslanov, KA, Svezhentsev, YS. 1993. An improved method for radiocarbon dating fossil bones. Radiocarbon 35(3):387–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bard, E, Arnold, M, Hamelin, B, Tisnerat-Laborde, N, Cabioch, G. 1998. Radiocarbon calibration by means of mass spectrometric 230Th/234U and 14C ages of corals: an updated database including samples from Barbados, Mururoa and Tahiti. Radiocarbon 40(3): 1085–92.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, TA, Nelson, DE, Vogel, JS, Southon, JR. 1988. Improved collagen extraction by modified Longin method. Radiocarbon 30(2):171–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Evison, M, Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, Stravopodi, E, Fieller, N, Smillie, D. 2000. An ancient HLA from a Palaeolithic skeleton from Theopetra cave, Greece. In: Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, editor. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Theopetra cave-Twelve years of Excavations and Research. Trikala, 7–8 Nov 1998. p 109–18.Google Scholar
Facorellis, Y. 1996. Study of the conditions and parameters for high precision dating with 14C [unpublished PhD thesis]. University of Patras, Greece.Google Scholar
Facorellis, Y, Maniatis, Y, Kromer, B. 1997. Study of the parameters affecting the correlation of background versus cosmic radiation in CO2 counters: reliability of dating results. Radiocarbon 39(3): 225–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Facorellis, Y, Maniatis, Y. 1999. Possibilities and accuracy of radiocarbon dating in the Palaeolithic period. British School at Athens Studies 3:179–89.Google Scholar
Gallis, K. 1996. The Neolithic world, Neolithic civilisation in Greece. In: Papathanasopoulos, GA, editor. N.P. Athens: Goulandris Institution, Museum of Cycladic Art. p 23–37.Google Scholar
Hauptmann, H. 1981. Otzaki-Magula III. Das späte Neolithikum und das Chalkolithikum. BAM 21.Google Scholar
Hedges, REM, Law, IA. 1989. The radiocarbon dating of bone. Applied Geochemistry 4:249–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johansen, OS, Gulliksen, S, Nydal, R. 1986. δ13C and diet: analysis of Norwegian human skeletons. Radiocarbon 28(2A):754–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karkanas, P. 1999. Lithostratigraphy and micromorphology of Theopetra cave deposits, Thessaly, Greece: some preliminary results. British School at Athens Studies 3:240–51.Google Scholar
Karkanas, P, Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, Bar-Yosef, O, Weiner, S. 1999. Mineral assemblages in Theopetra, Greece: a framework for understanding diagenesis in a prehistoric cave. Journal of Archaeological Science 26:1171–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karkanas, P, Weiner, S. 2000. Lithostratigraphy and diagenesis of the deposits of the Theopetra cave, Kalambaka. In: Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, editor. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Theopetra cave-Twelve years of Excavations and Research”. Trikala, 7–8 November 1998. p 37–52.Google Scholar
Kitagawa, H, van der Plicht, J. 1998. Atmospheric radiocarbon calibration to 45,000 yr BP: Late Glacial fluctuations and cosmogenic isotope production. Science 279:1187–90.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kyparissi-Apostolika, N. 1990. Prehistoric inhabitation in Theopetra cave, Thessaly. In: Gallis, K, Darmezin, L, Decourt, JC, Deriziotis, L, Doulgeri-Intzessiloglou, A, Helly, B, Vongraeve, V, Intzessiloglou, H, Loucas, Z, Pantos, P, Di Salvatore, M, Tzafalias, A, Walters, Ch, editors. Actes du Colloque International: Quinze années de recherches archéologiques, 1975–1990. Bilans et Perspectives. Lyon. 17–22 Avril 1990. p 103–8.Google Scholar
Kyparissi-Apostolika, N. 1999. The Neolithic use of Theopetra cave in Thessaly, Greece. In: Halstead, P, editor. Neolithic society in Greece. Sheffield Studies in Aegean Archaeology. Sheffield Academic Press. Volume 2. p 142–52.Google Scholar
Kyparissi-Apostolika, N. 2000a. The Neolithic period in Theopetra cave. In: Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, editor. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Theopetra cave-Twelve years of Excavations and Research.” Trikala, 7–8 November 1998. p 181–234.Google Scholar
Kyparissi-Apostolika, N. 2000b. The excavations in Theopetra cave 1987–1998. In: Kyparissi-Apostolika, N, editor. Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference “Theopetra cave-Twelve years of Excavations and Research”. Trikala, 7–8 November 1998. p 17–36.Google Scholar
Laj, C, Mazaud, A, Duplessy, JC. 1996. Geomagnetic intensity and 14C abundance in the atmosphere and ocean during the past 50 kyr. Geophysical Research Letters 23(16):2045–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Longin, R. 1971. New method of collagen extraction for radiocarbon dating. Nature 230:241–2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maniatis, Y, Kromer, B. 1990. Radiocarbon dating of the Neolithic early Bronze Age site of Mandalo, W. Macedonia. Radiocarbon 32(2): 149–53.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milojcic, VIJ, Boessneck, D, Schneider, H. 1965. Paleolithikum um Larissa in Thessalien. Bonn.Google Scholar
Mook, WG, Streurman, HJ. 1983. Physical and chemical aspects of radiocarbon dating. PACT 8(II.1):31–55.Google Scholar
Mook, WG, Waterbolk, HT. 1985. Sample material and contamination, radiocarbon dating. Handbook for Archaeologists 3:27–31.Google Scholar
Nelson, E. 1996. A report on the AMS radiocarbon dating of a human bone from Theopetra cave, Thessaly. Archaeology Department, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada, p 1–10.Google Scholar
Olsson, IU. 1979. The importance of the pre-treatment of wood and charcoal samples in Radiocarbon dating. In: Berger, R, Suess, HE, editors. Proceedings of the 9th International Radiocarbon Conference. Berkeley/Los Angeles: University California Press. p 135–46.Google Scholar
Panagopoulou, E. 1999. The Theopetra Middle Palaeolithic assemblages: their relevance to the Middle Palaeolithic of Greece and adjacent areas. British School at Athens Studies 3:252–65.Google Scholar
Perlès, C. 1988. New ways with an old problem. In: French, EB, Wardle, KA, editors. Proceedings of the Congress of Manchester “Problems in Greek Prehistory”. Bristol. p 477–88.Google Scholar
Polach, HA. 1976. Radiocarbon dating as a research tool in archaeology-Hopes and limitations. In: Barnard, N, editor. Proceedings of the Symposium on scientific methods of research in the study of ancient Chinese Bronzes and South East metal and other archaeological artifacts. Australian National University, Department of Far Eastern History Publications.Google Scholar
Runnels, C. 1988. A prehistoric survey of Thessaly: new light on the Greek Middle Palaeolithic. Journal of Field Archaeology 15:277–90.Google Scholar
Runnels, C. 1993. The Lower and Middle Palaeolithic of Thessaly, Greece. Journal of Field Archaeology 20: 299–317.Google Scholar
Stravopodi, E, Manolis, S, Kyparissi-Apostolika, N. 1999. Palaeoanthropological findings from Theopetra cave in Thessaly: a preliminary report. British School at Athens Studies 3:271–81.Google Scholar
Stuiver, M, Polach, HA. 1977. Discussion: reporting of 14C data. Radiocarbon 19(3):355–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuiver, M, Reimer, PJ. 1993. Extended 14C data base and revised Calib 3.0 14C age calibration program. Radiocarbon 35(1):215–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stuiver, M, Reimer, PJ, Bard, E, Beck, JW, Burr, GS, Hughen, KA, Kromer, B, McCormac, G, van der Plicht, J, Spurk, M. 1998. INTCAL98 radiocarbon age calibration, 24,000–0 cal BP. Radiocarbon 40(3): 1127–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Theocharis, D. 1970. History of the Greek nation. Athens: Ekdotiki Athinon. Section A. p 37.Google Scholar
Theocharis, D. 1973. Neolithic Greece. Athens: National bank of Greece.Google Scholar
Tsountas, Ch. 1908. The prehistoric acropolis of Dimini and Sesklo. Athens.Google Scholar
Voelker, AHL, Sarnthein, M, Grootes, PM, Erlenkeuser, H, Laj, C, Mazaud, A, Nadeau, MJ, Schleicher, M. 1998. Correlation of marine 14C ages from the Nordic seas with the GISP2 isotope record: implications for 14C calibration beyond 25 ka BP. Radiocarbon 40(1):517–34.Google Scholar
de Vries, H, Barendsen, GW. 1953. Radiocarbon dating by a proportional counter filled with carbon dioxide. Physica 19:987–1003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wace, AJB, Thompson, MS. 1912. Prehistoric Thessaly. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar