Excavating a Rockshelter in Northwest Greece

Abstract

Klithi is a limestone rockshelter on the right bank of the River Voïdomatis in Northwest Greece (Fig. 18.1). Between 1983 and 1989, archaeological excavations here directed by Geoff Bailey brought to light a sequence of Upper Paleolithic deposits exhibiting remarkable uniformity in their artifact and faunal assemblages. Hunter/gatherer groups of the late glacial period had used ibex and chamois for food, leather, and bone artifacts. They had collected flint pebbles from the nearby river banks to manufacture an Epigravettian industry dominated by backed bladelets which were employed in hunting. Small endscrapers and other tools were employed in the working of hides and bone. Klithi is a low-diversity site and now features among other specialized ibex-sites that are typically found at high altitudes in or near the sort of rugged terrain that was the habitat of ibex herds.