Organisers: Claudio Berto, Natalia Gryczewska, Małgorzata Kot (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland)
Session format: in-person
Session language: English
Date: 21.03.2024 (Thursday)
Place: European Centre for Geological Education, University of Warsaw, Chęciny, conference room 1 in building “B”
Caves are unique archaeological archives, with long stratigraphic sequences spanning thousands of years, and stable internal conditions. This specific type of archaeological site is challenging, both to excavate and to interpret its findings. Nevertheless, the last few decades have seen an intensive development of new methods of investigation and new possibilities for research in caves. These changes are ongoing, not slowing down and require special attention and multidisciplinarity. At present, many research projects focus on the re-excavation of old sites and the re-examination of old backfills. At the same time, cooperation between archaeologists, geomorphologists, palaeontologists, biologists, geneticists and many other specialists is increasing. This not only leads to many new discoveries, but also allows old data to be critically evaluated and changes the way we as archaeologists design and conduct research. For that reason, we would like to create a platform for the exchange of ideas on new approaches to cave archaeology and to discuss current fieldwork and research trends. We propose to focus on the re-examination of long-held assumptions and ideas, as well as on future perspectives. We invite you to present your contribution on to current cave research, not only from an archaeological perspective but also from an environmental, ecological, geological and taphonomical perspective.
The detailed session program can be found here.
Abstracts:
Julie Arnaud, Marta Arzarello, Sara Daffara, Gabriele L.F. Berruti (Sezione di Scienze Antropologiche e Preistoriche, Dipartimento Studi Umanistici, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Italy), Claudio Berto (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland)
The Ciota Ciara Cave (Borgosesia, Northern Italy): a multidisciplinary approach to the study of Neanderthal behaviour
Ciota Ciara Cave (670 m a.s.l.) is located on the western slope of Mt. Fenera, at the mouth of Val Sesia (Borgosesia, Northern Italy), and is part of the cave complex that to date has yielded the most important and complete evidence of the Piedmont Paleolithic. The numerous excavation campaigns conducted by the University of Ferrara have uncovered thousands of vertebrate fossils and lithics that are the subject of a highly interdisciplinary study.
From a biochronological point of view, the presence of animals such as Canis lupus, Ursus spelaeus, Vulpes vulpes, and Rupicapra rupicapra attribute the site to the Aurelian (the current Mammalian era beginning 300,000 years ago). The association with micromammals, moreover, allows the site to be attributed to the transition between the Lower and Upper Toringian and permits documentation of a transition (from the base to the top of the sequence) from a cool temperate to a more temperate climate.
The lithic industries were made exploiting locally or semi-locally sourced raw materials, mainly quartz but also flint, opal, mylonite, rhyolite, jasper, and radiolarite. The reduction sequences are typical of the Mousterian although they are often shorter due to the raw material quality. An early appearance of the Levallois method is also documented at the site.
In recent years, numerous human remains have also been found that exhibit anatomical features compatible with early Neanderthals.
The nearly 20 years of excavations, as well as the possibility of analyzing a large number of remains, have made it possible to reconstruct the cave’s population dynamics and to highlight how climate markedly influenced the behavior of the earliest Neanderthals in northern Italy.
Greta Brancaleoni, Małgorzata Kot, Natalia Gryczewska, Claudio Berto (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland), Maciej T. Krajcarz (Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Broken records? A geoarchaeological perspective of three cave sites: Pod Oknem Cave, Łabajowa Cave, and Raj Cave
A significant number of geoarchaeological investigations have been conducted in caves across Poland, with pioneers such as Teresa Madeyska. Much attention has been directed towards loess and loess-like deposits, considering them as the most important deposits found in Polish caves. Previous studies on Polish caves have embraced interdisciplinarity, incorporating diverse proxies, including archaeological, zooarchaeological, and geoarchaeological aspects. However, only recently have biomolecular and micromorphological studies of Polish cave deposits commenced. Notably, among the geoarchaeological proxies in Polish caves, micromorphology has been underused and possibly underestimated.
The paper aims to shed light on the potential of micromorphology in understanding cave site formations. We present preliminary results from a geoarchaeological investigation conducted at three Polish cave sites: Pod Oknem Cave, Łabajowa Cave, and Raj Cave. The ongoing investigation involves the application of stratigraphy, sedimentology, and, notably, micromorphology. These preliminary results are being contextualized with data from other proxies, such as archaeological and palaeontological. Initial findings indicate broken and reworked sedimentary records for all the considered case studies. Erosional surfaces and hiatuses are prevalent along the sedimentary profiles of these caves. Additionally, microscopic examination suggests complex formation processes influenced by various syn- and post-depositional factors. The prevalent evidence points towards mass-gravity and running water processes. Future research directions aim for a comprehensive understanding of the site formation processes of these caves, potentially employing state-of-the-art methods such as micro-analytical techniques coupled with seda-DNA on micromorphological slabs to enhance our understanding of human impacts on sediments.
Marcin Diakowski, Tomasz Płonka, Andrzej Wiśniewski (Institute of Archaeology, University of Wrocław, Poland), Adrian Marciszak (Department of Palaeozoology University of Wrocław, Poland), Grzegorz Ziółkowski (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Poland), Grzegorz Lipecki (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland), Kamil Serwatka (Independent researcher)
The Middle Palaeolithic incised bear bone from the Dziadowa Skała Cave: a new approach
Discoveries associated with the symbolic culture of Neanderthals, such as graves, evidence of pigment use, various ornaments, and engravings, have been unearthed from diverse locations across Europe and Asia. Despite being found in the 1950s in Dziadowa Skała Cave, a bone with incisions has never undergone comprehensive studies. Recently, we conducted a thorough analysis, examining the circumstances of its discovery, the archaeological context of its occurrence, preservation status, taxonomic affiliation, and the incisions themselves. Our research incorporated tomographic methods, microscopic observations, as well as experimental and statistical analyses. The application of tomographic modeling allowed for a precise description of the micro-morphometry of the incisions.
The bone was recovered from the Eemian layer (approximately 130-115 kyr BP) and, contrary to earlier designations, has been identified as a bear radius, broken at both ends. Seventeen incisions were identified on the bone surface (16 complete and one fragmentary). Analysis of the spacing between the incisions revealed that they form a cohesive pattern. The incisions were produced using the same retouched tool, likely a knife-type implement. The artisan responsible for these incisions exhibited right-handed dominance, executing the cuts towards themselves and repetitively in the same direction, typically in a parakinesis manner.
Natalia Gryczewska, Małgorzata Kot, Karol Szymczak (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland), Małgorzata Suska-Malawska, Marcin Sulwiński (Faculty of Biology, Centre for Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Warsaw, Poland), Maciej T. Krajcarz (Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Unearthing traces of ancient humans: molecular markers in cave sediments
Cave sediments have long served as archives of human occupation, preserving chemical traces that can offer insights into past human activities. The detection and interpretation of these traces depend on a diverse spectrum of methods that are continually evolving and refining. This presentation aims to outline the preliminary findings of an ongoing project focused on utilizing molecular markers to discern and characterize human presence and activity within the caves of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland.
The methodology of this study centres on burning indicators and faecal steroids. Particularly, the latter markers garnered special attention in the initial phase of the project, as the novel approach to studying these chemical compounds in cave settings necessitated the development of a reference database and specific methodology for detecting humans. The initial results are promising, enabling a critical evaluation of the project’s objectives, its contribution to a comprehensive understanding of past human presence and activity at cave sites, as well as identifying gaps in knowledge and future research directions. The presentation will focus on one of the cave sites within the project: Bramka Rockshelter.
Małgorzata Kot, Claudio Berto (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland), Mateusz Baca (Laboratory of Palaeogenetics and Conservation Genetics, Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Poland), Greta Brancaleoni (Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), Helen Fewlass (Ancient Genomics Lab, Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom), Aleksandra Kropczyk (Department of Paleozoology, University of Wrocław, Poland), Anna Lemanik, Adam Nadachowski, Oliwia Oszczepalińska, Andrea Pereswiet-Soltan (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), Magdalena Moskal-del Hoyo (W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Did Neanderthals go to heaven? Reinvestigation of Raj Cave, Poland
Raj Cave (Paradise Cave in Polish) is one of the most important Middle Palaeolithic cave sites in Poland, and there are several reasons for this. Firstly, it is located in the Holy Cross Mountains in south-central Poland, out of the karstic region of Krakow-Czestochowa Upland where most caves and cave sites are located. Secondly, the cave has been almost completely closed since the LGM and was only discovered in 1963 (Kowalski, 1972). For this reason, there are almost no Late Pleistocene and Holocene disturbances of the Middle Palaeolithic sediments. Next, two different layers containing Middle Paleolithic artifacts and animal remains were identified in the cave (Kozłowski, 1972). These two layers were separated by a sterile horizon, giving ground for comparative analyses. Finally, a large number of reindeer antlers found in the entrance zone led the excavators to hypothesize that the antlers had been deliberately collected by Neanderthals in order to build a protective fence at the entrance to the cave (Kozłowski, 1972). Both archaeological horizons were typologically assigned to the Mousterian technocomplex, but neither have been chronometrically dated.
The first and only archaeological fieldwork was carried out in 1966-67 and was aimed at cleaning the touristic path through the cave, which is still in use. The cave itself is famous in Poland for its magnificent speleothems, formed due to its special climatic conditions and high humidity. The name of the cave comes from the impression made on the first visitors. So far, the cave has been one of the most visited touristic sites in the region, but no archaeological research has been carried out at the site since the original investigations, apart from a re-evaluation of the large mammal collection (Patou-Mathis, 2004).
In 2023, we started a project to re-examine the site. We will re-assess the 1966–67 faunal assemblages, especially the small mammal collection. New archaeological and geoarchaeological fieldwork will be undertaken to: 1) determine the chronology of the site, including the human occupation episodes; 2) understand the site formation processes; 3) investigate human occupation of the site, and to evaluate the presence of the protective fence made of reindeer antlers; 4) identify periods of paleoenvironmental and climatic changes and see how these relate to human occupation. Excavation of archaeological material with modern methods will be useful to verify the Mousterian attribution of the 1966–67 collection and exclude the presence of a bifacial component in it. Thanks to these new analyses, we will present a preliminary chronostratigraphic reassessment of the site as well as some preliminary paleoenvironmental considerations.
References:
Kowalski. K. (ed.). 1972. Studies on Raj cave near Kielce (Poland) and its deposits Folia Quaternaria 41.
Kozłowski J.K. 1972. Archeological materials. In Studies on Raj cave near Kielce (Poland) and its deposits, K Kowalski. (ed.). Folia Quaternaria 41: 61–132.
Patou-Mathis M. 2004. Subsistence Behaviours in a Middle Palaeolithic Site in Poland: The Raj Cave. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 14: 244–255.
Adrian Marciszak, Krzysztof Stefaniak, Katarzyna Zarzecka-Szubińska (Department of Palaeozoology, University of Wrocław, Poland), Grzegorz Lipecki (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), Wiktoria Gornig (Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wroclaw, Poland), Małgorzata Kot (Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, Poland)
The replacement going on: the faunal record from Tunel Wielki Cave within the Middle Pleistocene Revolution and the role of MIS 12 in this process
Dated on the mid-Middle Pleistocene (MIS 14–12) site Tunel Wielki Cave characterises one of the most unique paleontological records on the Eurasian scale. It is best documented by the remains of rodents and carnivores. On the one hand, the presence of ancient and archaic species like Lycaon lycaonoides, Canis lupus mosbachensis or Panthera gombaszoegensis gombaszoegensis was found, sometimes even of Pliocene origin, such as Homotherium latidens latidens. These are most often more thermophilic species, associated with mosaic terrain. However, their remains are rare and prove the decline of this fauna and document the stage of its final disappearance. The remains of new arrivals dominate, such as Ursus deningeri, Ursus arctos priscus-taubachensis or Panthera spelaea fossilis. A large share of them includes cold-adapted species as Ursus arctos priscus-taubachensis, Gulo gulo, Martes martes, which were members of the mammoth fauna. Competition is one of the most important factors in the faunal interchanges, but similar or even stronger is the impact cause by the climatic changes, especially due MIS 12, which role is also discuss here.
Marco Peresani (Department of Humanities, Prehistoric and Anthropological Sciences Unit, University of Ferrara; Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Council of Research, Milan, Italy)
Traces of the visible and invisible from palaeolithic caves: some representative case-studies in the North of Italy
Caves, with their sediments, can disclose extraordinary evidence of the human past, when properly investigated from multidisciplinary projects. Indeed, due to their unique nature, natural and anthropogenic sediments and soils are unreproducible archives of complex ensembles of processes of deposition and post-depositional alteration, acting to produce sedimentary facies visually distinguishable in the field or under magnification. The identification of facies and microfacies and the recording of their lateral extent and repetitive occurrence over time, enables the reconstruction of temporal and spatial changes in natural and anthropogenic deposition within an archaeological site, hence in sedimentation rates and cave use. Micromorphology, for instance, is an indispensable method for describing archaeological sediment sequences and it is systematically used to clarify the nature of components and their spatial organization, the origin and function of anthropogenic features, the presence and extension of palimpsests with their trampled horizons, up to ultimately distinct undisturbed from reworked layers.
Nevertheless, although the microstratigraphic approach can valuably contribute to unravel stratigraphic sequences even if integrated with other analytical tools (bone and lithic refittings, spatial distribution analysis, etc.), specific molecular-markers of human activity remain not detectable using these methods. Given these compounds can survive through time and in specific microclimatic conditions, their detection offers the possibility of achieving information on human-environment interactions. Ongoing pioneering projects in some Upper Palaeolithic contexts aim to extracting and sequencing DNA to reveal the presence of humans, animals and plants consistent with the ecological conditions and the function of the settlement. In the meantime, forensic toxicology is applied for revealing molecular biomarkers from fungi and plants that could have had a nutritional or psychoactive value for the settlers.
Selected sites from the North of Italy will be taken as case-studies to illustrate current advances in the study of cave stratified sediments.
Marcin Szymanek (Faculty of Geology, University of Warsaw, Poland)
Molluscs of cave deposits from Sąspowska Valley
Malacological material from cave deposits of Koziarnia Cave, Bramka Rock Shelter, Ciasna Cave, Sąspowska Zachodnia Cave, and Małe Rockshelter is presented. Mollusc assemblages were used for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions in studied sites. The most abundant were mollusc remains in Małe Rockshelter (1494 individuals), whereas deposits in Koziarnia Cave and Bramka Rock Shelter comprised poor mollusc remains insufficient for precise palaeoecological interpretations. In the remaining sites molluscs were grouped according to their ecological preferences. In four ecological types including shade-loving (F), open-country (O), mesophilous (M) and water taxa (W) nine ecological groups were distinguished: exclusively forest species (group 1), mostly forest species, typical of shady habitats(2), xerophilous species common in dry, open habitats (4), open-country, meadow species (5), xerothermic species (6), eurytopic species (7), mesophilous species, typical of moist substrate (8), hygrophilous species which prefer very moist and swampy habitats (9) and species of periodic water bodies (10). The changes in the malacofauna composition are in line with the general trend of open country and/or taiga-type forest species replaced by the expansion of shade-loving and exclusively forest ones (typical of mixed and deciduous forests). The faunal reorganization that affected the Sąspowska Valley during the Holocene can be related to the major climate oscillations and consequent environment changes registered in Central Europe. The environmental proxies show that the temperate forest component became important at least from the end of the Preboreal or beginning of Boreal. The Holocene climatic optimum is recorded by the occurrence of warmth demanding species typical of deciduous forest.
Jarosław Wilczyński (Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland), Damian Stefański (Archaeological Museum, Kraków, Poland)
Uncovering the (Un)explored – New Research in the Mamutowa Cave
In this presentation, we aim to focus on the results of field research conducted by us in the years 2022–23 in the Mammoth Cave (Poland). During our presentation, we intend to showcase the preliminary outcomes of our work and outline the perspectives for future field and laboratory research.
Michał Wojenka (Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University, Poland)
Chronology of Medieval and Early Modern Human Activity in the Caves of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland
As commonly known, caves and rock shelters often serve as valuable archaeological sites. Contrary to popular belief, their cognitive potential extends beyond the older periods of prehistory. These locations also conceal remnants of much later human activity, including those from historical times.
The aim of this paper is to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the utilization of caves and rock shelters in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland during the medieval and early modern periods, within the context of a detailed chronology of inventories dated to these specific eras. The primary source materials for this presentation are derived from nearly a hundred cave sites. As the results of source analysis indicate, the earliest instances of cave use can be traced back to the 9th–10th centuries, while the latest materials of archaeological interest date back to the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. However, the distribution of human activity intensity in caves is not uniform, and throughout the history of their use, distinct periods of heightened interest can be clearly identified, especially during the 13th and 17th–18th centuries.
This observation appears to correlate with well-documented historical periods of political unrest and wartime events when caves periodically served as refugial purposes. However, as indicated by not infrequent examples, these were not the sole reasons for visiting them during those times.