Spilja Vindija

Vindija Cave

Useful Information

Location:	9km northwest of Ivanec, 20km west of Varaždin.
Open:	No restrictions. [2010]
Fee:	free. [2010]
Classification:	Karst cave, Tortonium limestone
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:	A=275m asl, L=50m, W=28m, H=20m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	James C. M. Aherna, Sang-Hee Leeb, John D. Hawks (2002): The late Neandertal supraorbital fossils from Vindija Cave, Croatia: a biased sample?, Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2002, Pages 419-432. Ivor Jankovi, Ivor Karavani, James C. M. Ahern, Dejana Brajkovi, Jadranka Mauch Lenardi, Fred H. Smith (2006): Vindija Cave and The Modern Human Peopling of Europe, Coll. Antropol. 30 (2006) 3: 457-466
Address:	Spilja Vindija, Tel: +385-, Fax: +385-,
Last update:	$Date: 2011/12/13 08:56:10 $

History


1878		first mentioned as an archaeologic site.
1928		first excavation.
1970s		intensive excavations.

Description

Spilja Vindija is a small cave in northern Croatia which has become famous for the discovery of Neanderthal remains, which were used as primary source of DNA for the Neanderthal genome project. The cave is a singel huge chamber with a huge portal. It was used as a shelter by Stone Age man and Neanderthals. Other rmeains include the bone of woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis), saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica), horses (Equus germanicus), reindeer and cave bear (Ursus spelaeus).

The excavation of Vindija cave was the central work in the life of the archaeologist Stjepan Vukovic (1905-1975). He started as teacher, later founded the archeological department of the museum of Varaždin. Today the museum has a wide range of exhibits, many of them from his excavations.

Spilja Vindija

Vindija Cave

Useful Information

History

Description

See also