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Recent research on Palaeolithic of Istria: Examples from Romuald’s Cave

The recent decade saw a rapid rise in the research on Paleolithic sites in Istria. This renewed interest started with field surveys and continued with new research projects aimed at better understanding of biocultural patterns and adaptations of hunter-gatherers in the region during the Pleistocene. The research included new fieldwork at several sites, as well as analytical work on previously available samples. One of the sites where new excavations were conducted is Romuald’s cave, situated in the Lim Channel in Istria. The cave was previously known as a prehistoric site, yielding material from the Iron and Bronze Age, as well as from the Upper Paleolithic. Our interdisciplinary work at the site resulted in new datasets (including analyses of anthropological and lithic material, new radiometric dates, sediment DNA, and geoarchaeological and geophysical work). Of particular interest is that the site was used both by Neanderthals during the Middle Paleolithic, as well as anatomically modern humans during the Upper Paleolithic. The latter were also responsible for the cave paintings, the first documented such case in the region. Research at Romuald’s cave was supported by Croatian Science Foundation (grants no. UIP-11–2013–7789 and IP-2019–04–7821).

Istria, Late Pleistocene, interdisciplinarity

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