The Early Upper Paleolithic of Croatia

Abstract: Early Upper Paleolithic industries from Vindija and Velika Pecina caves in Hrvatsko Zagorje (northwestern Croatia) are discussed together with their chronological and paleontological framework. The Early Upper Paleolithic in this region begins with a warm oscillation within the last glaciation, dated between 34 and 33 ka. At Vindija and Velika Pecina the earliest Upper Paleolithic follows Mousterian occupations and differs significantly from the Western European Aurignacian. It is also different from the Central European Aurignacian, but is quite similar to industries from the Slovenian Alpine sites of Potocka Zijalka and Mokriska Jama. In Vindija the Early Upper Paleolithic is possibly associated with late Neanderthals, while in Velika Pecina it is preceded by a level that contained a bone of an early modern human.