Palaeolithic Investigations in Epirus: The Results of the First Season's Excavations at Klithi, 1983

The first season's results demonstrate that Klithi contains a rich Palaeolithic deposit at least 2m in thickness with a stone industry dominated by backed bladelets, a fauna dominated by ibex, and considerable evidence of personal decoration and bone work. The evidence is consistent with a late Palaeolithic date, perhaps within the period c. 20, 000 to 12, 000 years ago. There is every reason to suppose that the deposits within the shelter go considerably deeper and that earlier industries remain to be discovered. On the other hand, the absence of any prehistoric deposits of post-Palaeolithic date is surprising in view of the attractiveness of the shelter and its obvious value as a winter goat shelter in recent times. This may be due to lack of sedimentation under temperate climatic conditions, removal of post-Palaeolithic deposits by more recent occupants, or a genuine hiatus in the use of the site. Very little post-Palaeolithic material has been found on the talus slope. A few potsherds have been found, both of coarse ware and of glazed ware, together with modern materials such as metal and plastic, and none of this is inconsistent with an essentially modern or historical date. Absence of occupation for a period of many millennia after its final abandonment by Palaeolithic ibex hunters is not inconceivable at this site. In spite of its obvious advantages as a goat shelter the site is evidently in quite a marginal location for a 'Neolithic' economy, since the goats kept in the shelter in recent years could only be maintained throughout the winter by the importation of some 8 tonnes of winter feed, mainly in the form of barley. The general inaccessibility of Klithi may have made it unsuitable as a temporary animal shelter until the historical period and the establishment of the villages on the surrounding heights.