Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island)
Grapčeva B
Middle to Upper Palaeolithic (100000–12000 BP)·Mousterian / Upper Palaeolithic·🇭🇷 Split-Dalmatia, Hvar Island, Croatia
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
- 01Construction technique
- 02Function and labor organization
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 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
c. 50000–30000 BP
Initial construction / foundation
c. 879 CE
Major refurbishment
1917
Modern excavation and survey
c. 1440 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
43.1300° N · 16.7400° E · 240 m · 3 mapped features
Main Occupation Layer
occupation layerMain Occupation Layer at Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island) — occupation layer with stratified deposits
43.1290° N · 16.7397° EHearth Complex
hearthHearth Complex at Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island) — hearth with stratified deposits
43.1311° N · 16.7383° ERock Fall Boulder
boulderRock Fall Boulder at Grapčeva Cave — Ancillary Niche B (Hvar Island) — boulder with stratified deposits
43.1297° N · 16.7397° E