The Early Upper Palaeolithic in Greece: The excavations in Klisoura Cave

A new Greek sequence of early Upper Palaeolithic, Aurignacian, Epigravettian, and Mesolithic assemblages, which differs from the sequence of Franchthi and Kephalari caves, was uncovered during the excavations in Cave 1 in Klisoura Gorge (Western Peloponnese). This is the first cae of Middle Palaeolithic deposits immediately covered by an Early Upper Palaeolithic assemblage. The long Middle Palaeolithic in this site underlies a long sequence of Upper Palaeolithic layers. Most interesting is the Early Upper Palaeolithic industry which contains numerous arched backed blades and other lithics demonstrating morphological affinities to the Italian Uluzzian, a resemblance that raises questions concerning the potential makers of this industry. Above it, several Aurignacian levels dated from 24 t0 34 ka BP were exposed. This is the first well-dated sequence of Aurignacian occupations in Greece in which a number of basin-like hearth structures were exposed, lined with a clay that had been brought in and specially prepared. The Aurignacian sequence is covered by Epigravettian layers. The unconformity between the Epigravettian and the underlying Aurignacian corresponds to the Last Glacial Maximum. A Mesolithic layer caps the prehistoric sequence.