Theopetra Cave. Less than 10 km from the town of Kastraki in Greece, where we stayed when visiting the stone pillars and monasteries of Meteora. A brochure that we received upon check-in stated that you must not miss this one-of-a-kind find! Though we didn't book a tour through Visit Meteora, I'm very grateful for their advice, as you'll soon see!
The entrance to the cave was unassuming, and I wondered what we'd find inside, since I had seen no photos in the brochure. | Now, for today's Where Oh Where Wednesday, the game is a little different. Instead of "Where", you'll need to guess "How Old"! Any guesses yet? When I first saw the steps, my first reaction was "Oh no," since we had just climbed and descended the 309 steps to the Grand Meteoron Monastery earlier that morning. But, there were not as many steps (I did count but forgot to record the number) and unlike the monasteries where I saw many people waiting at the bottom since they knew they could not make it up the steps, Theopetra Cave is wheelchair accessible for those who need it. Once inside, I was surprised at how small the cave was, and thought how it would be difficult to see everything if a large bus tour came to the site. Fortunately, we were the only people there for almost our entire stay of about 30 minutes. As we were leaving, 4 other people arrived-- 2 were with a tour guide. |
The sturdy walkway circles the entire cave, which has been excavated in layers. The man who collected our money at the entrance also followed along with my husband and explained in Greek about many of the areas. (My husband then translated to English for our friends.) I was busy walking the other way and taking photos of them as well!
Now, to really start the game! First, I'll show you a part of the excavations, then ask you to guess how old, and finally reveal the age, via a sign from the site. There are 3 parts! Let's get started!
Now, to really start the game! First, I'll show you a part of the excavations, then ask you to guess how old, and finally reveal the age, via a sign from the site. There are 3 parts! Let's get started!
Make your guess--how old?!
Wow, 7,500 B.C., did you come close with your guess? Now, for part 2--think older!!
Make your guess--how old (remember, >9,000 years!)?
Double wow, >60,000 years old! Did you come closer with this guess? Now, part 3--think older!!
Make your guess--how old? (Remember, >60,000 yrs.!)
Triple wow, 120,000, yes thousand, years old! Now, I had no clue what the Thermoluminescence method was, so I Googled it and found this United States Geological Survey article: Thermoluminescence Technique. Interesting!
Now, there's one more image, and it's not part of the game, but amazing, nonetheless.
Now, there's one more image, and it's not part of the game, but amazing, nonetheless.
That's my husband's hand pointing to the remnants of a wall believed to be the "oldest known man-made construction in Greece, and likely the world" quoting the 2010 article: Wall discovered in central Greece could be world's oldest. The article states that specialists have determined the wall dates back to 21,000 B.C. Quadruple wow!
A big thank you to Visit Meteora for making us aware of this wonderful site. Read more about Theopetra Cave in their articles, Theopetra Cave inhabited by humans 130.000 years ago, and Theopetra's Prehistoric Cave. [Americans, please note that in Europe, the (.) has the same function as the (,) in numbers!]
In the future, there will be a museum that will contain all of the excavated artifacts. I look forward to exploring it during one of my revisits to the region!
Have you visited any interesting caves?
Let me know in a comment below!
In the future, there will be a museum that will contain all of the excavated artifacts. I look forward to exploring it during one of my revisits to the region!
Have you visited any interesting caves?
Let me know in a comment below!