TRIPSANA CAVE - 2005

Tripsana Cave. A. Darlas (ΕΠΣΝΕ) reports on trial excavation in a cave on the north shore of the bay of Oitylos, ca 100m from the shore and 15m above sea level. The cave is small (2.3m wide, 4m deep and 3m high) and opens to the south. Two trenches were carried down to bedrock (-1.6m at the rear of the cave and -1.28m near the entrance).

Two main archaeological horizons were found (neither rich), with sporadic remains between them. Finds from all levels indicate sporadic use of the cave during the Upper Palaeolithic. A significant number of finds came from surface where they had been transported by animals.

At a depth of ca 1m from the modern surface, the slides of the cave slope sharply inwards, suggesting that the cave was originally very narrow (probably too narrow for occupation). When accumulated sediments raised the floor to a level ca 0.8m below the present surface, a space ca 2.5 x 4m was opened up, sufficient to accommodate a small group.

The diagnostic bone remains (948 of a total of 1,826 specimens) come from the following large mammals: Vulpes vulpes, Felis sp., Martes sp., cf. Mustela, Lepus europaeus, Canis cf. lupus, Canis sp., Sus scrofa, Capra sp., Ovis/Capra, Boss p., Cervus elephus, Dama dama. Deer and chamois were the dominant species, with a dense concentration of hare especially in surface levels. The condition of the bone indicates long exposure on the surface, with breakage at an advance stage of dehydration. Combined with the very small quantity of cut or burnt bone, this confirms very limited human use of the cave, probably as a temporary shelter or refuge.

Both land and sea shells were densely deposited. A large specimen of Pecten jacobaeus could be almost completely restored. Five fragments of bone tools were found (two awls or points with traces of retouch, a deer antler split down the middle, and two pieces of long bone with traces of retouch).

The stone tools (269 items) are all Gravettian/Epigravettian microblades. Best represented are small blades with ridged back, while geometric microliths etc. are missing, confirming a date before the Final Palaeolithic. Although absolute chronology remains difficult, a date between 24,000 and 15,000 BC is likely.

One piece of haematite was found. This material is found in all caves in Mani with evidence of Upper Palaeolithic activity, and was probably used as a pigment (ochre).