Ancient Secrets Of The Theopetra Cave: World’s Oldest Man-Made Structure And Home To Humans 130,000 Years Ago

MessageToEagle.com – In the vicinity of Meteora, a beautiful and strange rock formation in ancient Greece there are a number of intriguing ancient caves. One of them is the Theopetra Cave. It’s a unique archaeological site.

Meterora monastery
Meterora monastery

The Theopetra Cave, located at the foot of the Chasia mountain range, which forms the natural boundary between Thessaly and Macedonia prefectures, holds many ancient secrets.

World’s Oldest Man-Made Structure 

Theopetra's Cave
Interior view of the Theopetra’s Cave. Image credit: www.athenscustomtaxitours.com

It was inhabited by humans 130,000 years ago. At this site we also find the oldest known example of a man-made structure, a stone wall that blocked two-thirds of the entrance to the Theopetra Cave. Scientists estimate the ancient stone wall was constructed 23,000 years ago, probably as a barrier against cold winds. During this period the Earth was experiencing an ice age and many Paleolithic and Neolithic artifacts have been found within the caves.

Remarkable Discoveries Reveal The Theopetra Cave’s Ancient Secrets

Inside the cave there is a huge 500 square meter rectangular chamber. To get into the cave, one has to go through a very big entrance 17m wide by three meters high.

Excavations of the Theopetra Cave began in 1987 and over the years many remarkable discoveries have been made at this ancient place.

Theopetra Cave
Theopetra Cave . Image credit: www.meteora.com

Archaeological excavations indicate the cave had been continuously inhabited during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic, the Mesolithic and the Neolithic periods.

Stone Age in ancient Greece
Stone Age in ancient Greece. Image credit: www.touristorama.com

See also:

Meteora – A Sanctuary Of Harmony And Quietness Seems To Hang In The Sky

Impressive Kaymakli Underground City – An Ancient Hiding Place

Spectacular Vardzia Cave Monastery – Huge Underground Complex Founded By The “Mountain Queen” Tamar

Amazing Journey To The World’s Largest Cave That Has A Jungle And Waterfalls Hidden Deep Inside!

Several discovered specimens such as coal and human bones, prove that the cave was occupied from about 135,000 BC to 4000 BC, and that temporary use continued during the Bronze Age and historic times up to 1955. Other objects unearthed inside the cave include bones and shells, as well as skeletons from 15000, 9000 and 8000 BC, and traces of plants and seeds that reveal dietary habits.

Four footprints, dated to approximately 135,000 years ago have also been discovered here. The footprints were made by children who most likely walked on the remained ashes of a fire that later in time it became petrified and thus allowing footprints to be preserved till present day.

Exploration of the Theopetra Cave is truly a journey back to very ancient times.

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