Petralona Cave

This cave is located along the west foothills of Mount Katsika, at an altitude of 250 m and at a distance of 800 m from the village of Petralona. It was explored and mapped in 1959 by the geologist and speleologist John Petrocheilos who also carried out the first paleontological exploration there. The main corridor runs from south to north. The total length of the corridors is 1,500 m and the area covered by the cave is 10,400 sq. m. It is one of the most important of paleontological caves. Scientific exploration and continuing studies have brought to light numerous paleontological finds.

In 1960, a human skull of the Neanderthal type was found (belonging to the period dating 200,000 to 260,000 years ago) as well as skulls of cave bears, Pleistocene period horses, panthers, hyenas, stags, wolves and foxes. In all, there were remains of 34 species of fauna.

These finds have been taken to the Paleontology Laboratory at the University of Salonica.

Finds from later excavations are in the Petralona Cave Museum.