Petralona Cave

Petralona Cave: where the oldest Greek was found

The **Petralona Cave**, also known as **"Red Stones"**, is located on the western slopes of Mount Katsika, about 1 kilometer east of the village of Petralona and just **35 kilometers southeast of Thessaloniki**. It was accidentally discovered in **1959** by a local resident and has evolved into one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in Europe.

The Archanthropus of Petralona

In **1960**, an almost complete human skull, along with skeletal fragments, was uncovered. It was named **Archanthropus europaeus petraloniensis** and belonged to a woman aged 25-35 years. It is the **oldest human skull found in Greece**.

The exact age remains a subject of scientific debate: estimates range from 200,000 to 700,000 years, while a newer and more extensive study of its morphology places it around **300,000-400,000 years**.

An underground world of stalactites

The cave covers an area of approximately **10,000 square meters** and features large chambers with impressive, colorful stalactites and stalagmites. The red earth that has colored its formations gave it the popular name, “Red Stones.”

Fossilized animal bones and evidence of fire usage have also been found inside, shedding light on the lives of the early humans in the area.

The Anthropological Museum

Next to the cave is the **Petralona Anthropological Museum**, which was built in **1978** by the Anthropological Society of Greece and opened to the public in **1979**. It showcases findings, fossils, and tools from the excavations.

The cave reopened to visitors in **2024**, after a five-year closure.

Practical information