Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche
Σπήλαιο Φράγχθι · Franchthi Paralia
Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP)·Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic·🇬🇷 Peloponnese, Argolis, Kilada, Greece
About
About Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche
Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche in Peloponnese, Argolis, Kilada, Greece is a Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP) cave attributed to Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic. Systematic survey and LiDAR document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal enclosure and workshop area. Dimensions shelter mouth 28 m wide × 12 m deep × 8 m high; area 1.1 ha. Excavation excavated; condition submerged. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic cave with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 10 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Ritual landscape model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 50000–30000 BP
- Period
- Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP)
- Culture
- Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic
- Builders
- Mousterian
- Purpose
- Seasonal habitation and ritual cave
- Rediscovered
- 2007
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 50000–30000 BP
Initial construction / foundation
c. 820 CE
Major refurbishment
1894
Modern excavation and survey
c. 1747 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
37.4200° N · 23.1300° E · 10 m · 4 mapped features
Main Occupation Layer
occupation layerMain Occupation Layer at Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche — occupation layer with stratified deposits
37.4201° N · 23.1290° EHearth Complex
hearthHearth Complex at Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche — hearth with stratified deposits
37.4186° N · 23.1324° ERock Fall Boulder
boulderRock Fall Boulder at Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche — boulder with stratified deposits
37.4178° N · 23.1285° EParalia Niche
nicheParalia Niche at Franchthi Cave — Paralia Lower Terrace Niche — niche with stratified deposits
37.4222° N · 23.1313° E