The Alepotrypa Cave is an archaeological site in the Mani region of the Peloponnese peninsula.[1] The cave is one of the largest Neolithic burial sites in Europe. Two adult human skeletons were found at the site from a burial around 5,800 years old. Evidence of other Neolithic burials were also found, along with a Mycenaen ossuary that archaeologists believe is around 3,300 years old. Burials in the cave date from between 6,000 to 3200 BC, and archaeologists have found bones belonging to at least 170 different persons.[2]
The cave was occupied by early farmers during the Neolithic era.[3] The farmers lived in a large village outside the cave. Based on evidence found at the site, archaeologists believe that the early farmers who inhabited this area ate little meat or fish, and that their diet was heavy in barley and wheat.[1] Archaeologist Anastasia Papathanasiou noted that 31% of the burial skulls have an inherited feature called mepotism, which indicates that they are related.[1][2] Non-lethal head injuries on the skulls present evidence of frequent violent confrontations.[3][2]
Archaeologists are uncertain how to explain a later Mycenaean ossuary dating from 1300 BC. Archaeologists speculate that the bones may have been carried to the site.
Bailey, D. R. Shackleton, ed. (1984). Harvard Studies in Classical Philology. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-37935-0.
