Mysteria
Verified43.1300° N · 16.7400° E · 240 m

Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island)

Grapčeva B

Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP)·Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic·🇭🇷 Split-Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia

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About

About Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island)

Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island) in Split-Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia is a Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP) cave attributed to Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal citadel and domestic quarter. Dimensions shelter mouth 28 m wide × 12 m deep × 8 m high; area 5.4 ha. Excavation excavated; condition buried. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.

Why it mattersKey Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic cave with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 240 m elevation.

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Construction technique
  2. 02Function and labor organization

Theories

  1. 01Ceremonial centre
  2. 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
Excavation
Excavated

  1. c. 50000–30000 BP

    Initial construction / foundation

  2. c. 879 CE

    Major refurbishment

  3. 1917

    Modern excavation and survey

  4. c. 1440 CE

    Abandonment

On the ground

Structures & features

43.1300° N · 16.7400° E · 240 m · 3 mapped features

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