Neolithic materials from the main chamber of Ciemna Cave, southern Poland (excavation between 2007 to 2012)

Abstract

This paper presents the results of the detailed analysis of Neolithic ceramic, stone and bone artefacts found in the main chamber of Ciemna Cave during excavations between 2007 and 2012. The Neolithic materials from Ciemna Cave are connected with Linear Pottery culture, the Lengyel-Polgár cycle (the Malice culture, the Pleszów group, and the Wyciąże-Złotniki group), Funnel Beaker culture and Baden culture. The assemblage is dominated by artefacts linked mainly with the Pleszów group and Baden culture. A noteworthy achievement is the establishment of a stratigraphic correlation between Neolithic materials and artefacts from other archaeological periods. Ciemna Cave is one of Poland’s most influential Neolithic cave sites with numerous diverse Neolithic materials.