Testing Stratigraphic Integrity of Upper and Middle Paleolithic Deposits in Vindija Cave (Croatia): A Chipped Stone Refitting Analysis

Abstract

Vindija Cave in northwest Croatia contains cultural materials and archaic human remains significant for understanding the Middle to Upper Paleolithic transition in Central Europe. Unresolved issues pertaining to the stratigraphic integrity of these deposits has led to debate over their interpretation. The goals of this thesis are to determine if vertical movement of archaeological materials has occurred and what effects such movement may have on the composition of the cultural assemblages. Systematic refitting of the chipped stone assemblage within and between all stratigraphic levels at Vindija Cave was carried out and five percent of the assemblage was successfully refit. The vertical distribution of refitting artifacts throughout the Upper and Middle Paleolithic deposits demonstrates that post-depositional movement has occurred between stratigraphic levels. Refitting data underscores the importance of consideration for the role post-depositional processes may have had on the integrity of cultural assemblages at this site.