# Excavations at Theopetra Cave in Thessaly, Greece: From the Middle Paleolithic until Modern Times Theopetra Cave is located in the northwestern corner of the plain of Thessaly in Central Greece (39.67991, 21.68122). Facing north from a prominent limestone hill of the same name, it lies approximately 5.5km southeast of the Municipality of Meteora and the well-known monasteries in the area. The Thessalian Plain was a major focus for Neolithic farming communities, with numerous significant settlements all the way to the coast in the east. It was also occupied during the Paleolithic and Mesolithic, and along with other discoveries in the area, for example, along the Pineios River, points to the plain as an important focus for hunting and gathering communities during the Pleistocene and the early part of the Holocene. Directed by **[Dr. Nina Kyparissi-Apostolika](/people/aikaterini-nina-kyparissi-apostolika)**, the cave was excavated under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture, funded primarily by the ministry, the Prefecture of Trikala, and The Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP). The excavations revealed a deep and complex stratigraphy, with initial occupation from at least the penultimate interglacial 120 thousand years ago, with continual use throughout the Paleolithic and Mesolithic by hunting and gathering groups. Significantly, the transition between the Mesolithic and Neolithic is well preserved and provides key evidence for the nature of this enigmatic phase in the early prehistory of the region. The Neolithic layers also point to the continuous and intense occupation of the cave, although climate change during the latter part of the period led to flooding and the eventual abandonment of the site. The results of the excavations and specialist studies are now being prepared for publication in two major volumes, by **[Dr. Kyparissi-Apostolika](/people/aikaterini-nina-kyparissi-apostolika)** and **[Dr. Gilbert Marhall](/people/gilbert-marshall)**, with the generous assistance of the Shelby White and Leon Levy Program for Archaeological Publications. The first volume details the Neolithic and later use of the cave, while in the second, the Paleolithic and Mesolithic occupation is presented. The cave and the [Documentation and Education Center of Theopetra Cave](https://archaeologicalmuseums.gr/en/museum/5df34af3deca5e2d79e8c16a/documentation-and-education-center-of-theopetra-cave) in the nearby village of the same name are popular with locals and tourists alike. Along with the monasteries of Meteora, they have developed into a major attraction in the area, leading to a much greater awareness of the variety, richness, and antiquity of the prehistoric settlement of Thessaly. [](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/the_hill_of_theopetra.png?m=1658283199&itok=5ngGjMF9) ![The hill of Theopetra](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/the_hill_of_theopetra.png?itok=agyJV-TD) The hill of Theopetra[ ![Mesolithic Burial](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/mesolithic_burial.png?itok=LqXfHb4P) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/mesolithic_burial.png?m=1658283349&itok=L7t48JPo)Mesolithic Burial[ ![The New Visitor Walkway](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/the_new_visitor_walkway.png?itok=k9azaWR0) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/the_new_visitor_walkway.png?m=1658283567&itok=aI4iYTax)The New Visitor Walkway[ ![Documentation and Education Center of Theopetra Cave](/sites/g/files/omnuum3196/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/whitelevy/files/documentation_and_education_center_of_theopetra_cave.png?itok=ArOOgCGt) ](static.projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/styles/os_files_xxlarge/public/whitelevy/files/documentation_and_education_center_of_theopetra_cave.png?m=1658291896&itok=a8RC1S1w)Documentation and Education Center of Theopetra Cave See also:- [ 2022 Sponsored Projects ](/grants-year/2022-sponsored-projects) - [ Greece – Mainland ](/sponsored-projects-area/greece-mainland)