In the Cave. Stories from Darkness Brought to Light / Στη σπηλιά. Ιστορίες από το σκοτάδι στο φως

Fotis Georgiadis – Anastasia Gadolou / Φώτης Γεωργιάδης – Αναστασία Γκαδόλου,
In the Cave. Stories from Darkness Brought to Light / 
Στη σπηλιά. Ιστορίες από το σκοτάδι στο φως

The present comprehensive scientific catalogue accompanies and documents the important new temporary exhibition by the Ministry of Culture, organized by the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology-Speleology and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, entitled “In the cave: stories from darkness brought to light”. Original in its concept, this exhibition uses an interdisciplinary approach to highlight the timeless and multifaceted relationship between humans and caves – a relationship that endures, unbroken, from the Paleolithic period until modern times.

The subject reflects the timeless and multilayered significance of caves in the life and culture of humankind. From the beginning of human evolution, caves were not only refuges from the elements and from predators, but also served as the cradle for early so-cialization, creativity and the exchange of knowledge, key for cultural development. Even when they ceased to be used for primary habitation, caves retained their primeval association with religion and transcendency, archetypal meanings and symbolism, making them timeless landmarks in myth and in collective historical memory, as well as sources of inspiration for contemplation and the arts. New among these layers of meaning – not replacing them – is the modern scientific interest in understanding the history of human interaction with the natural environment.

Literally and metaphorically, the exhibition “In the cave” aims to bring this profound and timeless relationship into the light. Through the distinct thematic and chronological units and select displays, which include anthropological, paleobotanical and paleozoological material, as well as representative archaeological finds – from prehistoric tools, utilitarian, religious and precious objects, to inscriptions and works of art from all periods – the public has the chance to conceptually travel back in time and discover the numerous aspects of life and culture relating to caves.

Caves are offered as witnesses to human history, and as gateways connecting us to our primordial roots and nature itself. Inspiring awe and curiosity and raising awareness among the public, this exhibition rein-forces our connection to the past and promotes the preservation of these unique monuments for generations to come.

A total of 296 objects, many of which are presented to the public for the first time, are displayed in the various units of the exhibition, coming from 30 caves of northern Greece and from museums and sci-entifically and culturally significant collections. Each constitutes a piece of the puzzle, telling the story of caves and the interactions between humans and nature that took place within them. At the same time, the exhibition highlights the methodological and technical particularities, the fascinating but challenging nature of conducting archaeological and anthropological research inside caves.  

Table of Contents
Forewords

Lina Mendoni, Minister of Culture of the Hellenic Republic

Olympia Vikatou, General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, Hellenic Ministry of Culture

Niki Manou-Andreadis, Αrchitect and Civil Engineer, President of the Board of Directors, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki

Introductory note | Αnastasia Gadolou, Fotis Georgiadis, Scientific editors of the catalogue and curators of the exhibition

Why present an exhibition on caves? | Anastasia Gadolou

The museological approach | Angeliki Koukouvou, Agni Apostolidou, Katerina Bechtsi, Ourania Palli, Evanthia Papadopoulou, Evangelia Tsangaraki

The museographic proposal, or the birth of a design | Anna Kouloumvaki, Pantelis Feleris, Foivos Papageorgiou, Ilias Papageorgiou

THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF CAVES

Petralona Cave, Chalkidiki | Αndreas Ι. Darlas

Theopetra Cave, Landmark and point of reference for early prehistory in Greece | Nina Kyparissi-Apostolika

Prehistoric evidence from the caves of northern Greece | Zoe Intze, Michalis Kontos, Christina Michelaki, Anastasios Siros

Caves and ritual activity in prehistory | Stella Katsarou

Ancient cave sancturaries in northern Greece | Fotis Georgiadis

The painted panels from Pitsa cave | Giorgos Kavvadias

Αscetics in caves, Hermetic life in the caves of Prespes | Christina Michelaki, Andreas N. Tsokas

Cave use during the Greek civil war, Democratic Αrmy hospitals in caves of western Macedonia | Agni Karadimou, Michalis Kontos

THE OTHER SIDE OF CAVES

Spilaia, Spilies, Bistiries, A cave by any other name. A folklore-ethnographic approach | Aikaterini Polymerou-Kamilaki

CAVE ENVIRONMENT

Speleogenesis, How caves are formed | Christos Pennos

Cave ecosystems | Αlexandra Οikonomou

The fossil faunas of caves | Athanassios Athanassiou, Katerina Trantalidou

CATALOGUE OF EXHIBITS

BIBLIOGRAPHY