The Mesolithic fauna from Theopetra Cave

The excavations since 1987 at Theopetra Cave, in Thessaly, central Greece, have revealed something that is unfortunately rare: proof of a human presence in Greece during the Mesolithic. This discovery, particularly given its location in an area of Greece previously lacking any known Mesolithic site, has provoked significant academic notice. Naturally the food and raw material resources of these people are of much interest, and it is hoped that the animal fraction of the early Holocene deposits will provide us with information in these areas. Unfortunately the faunal sample from this period remains small, with 293 fragments examined thus far, 60 of which were identifiable to species level. In addition there is abundant microfaunal material. From this small sample, however, species of considerable diversity have been recognised, including small caprids, hare, pigeon (Columba sp.) and other birds, Sussp. and several small carnivores. Evidence of human input into this faunal material is present, but limited.