Divje babe Archaeological Park

Divje babe I and Divje babe II caves are distinguished by their unspoilt authentic location on a rocky and inaccessible slope in the Idrijka valley, below the edge of the Šebrelj Plateau.

The Divje Baba I cave is a systematically investigated Palaeolithic site with several metres of preserved cave sediments, which allow for further scientific research. The cave environment preserves archaeological finds from the Middle and Younger Palaeolithic (bone and stone artefacts, remains of hearths and hearths), as well as palaeontological and palaeobotanical finds (animal bone remains, fossilised wood, pollen, animal hair). These valuable finds provide new insights into the activities of Palaeolithic man and the Pleistocene climate and fauna. The Divje Baba I cave preserves records from the Middle Palaeolithic (Moustérien culture, Neanderthal/Homo sapiens neanderthalensis), which are poorly represented in most European Palaeolithic sites. The cave also documents records from the Younger Palaeolithic (the aurignacien culture, which is anatomically modern / Homo sapiens sapiens). It is the only known example of both cultures in the Palaeolithic sites of Slovenia, and Divje babe I is therefore also extremely important for the study of the evolution of man and his natural environment during the transition from the Middle to the Younger Palaeolithic. The discovery of the oldest known musical instrument - a flute from the femur of a cave bear cub between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago - has made Divje babe I a globally recognised and important site. The discovery of a large number of bone Mousterian tools places Divje Baba I in the top rank of European Palaeolithic sites. The discovery of Aurignacian-age bone tools allows for comparisons with Younger Palaeolithic cave sites in Slovenia and other contemporary sites in Europe. In terms of the number, preservation, variety of charcoal and age of the hearths and hearths discovered, the Divje babe I cave represents a unique feature in Slovenia and Europe.

Divje babe I Cave has the richest collection of Pleistocene pollen, charcoal, small mammal and cave bear remains in Slovenia, and the latter are also important on a European scale. The cave has yielded bones of various Pleistocene animal species, including the remains of species that have become extinct or have retreated from the area. Palaeoclimatic interpretation of the site is complemented by palaeontological and palaeobotanical analyses. The cave is a reference site for the study of the chronology of palaeoclimatic changes during the Younger Pleistocene in Slovenia and beyond.

The cave sites of Divje babe I and Divje babe II in the hillside above the Idrijca River and the plateau with traces of an open-air Palaeolithic station on the northern edge of the Šebrelj Plateau are open to the general public.

The establishment of the archaeological park also allows interested visitors to enter the interior of the Divje Baba I cave.
In and in front of the cave, the archaeological remains (cave sediments with archaeological and palaeontological finds) are presented in an authentic setting. The most important finds and activities from the Younger Pleistocene period are presented through various interactive contents. For the purpose of presenting the cave, access to the entrance and the back of the cave was arranged with minimal intervention, and reversible infrastructure was installed inside the cave to ensure the safety of visitors and at the same time protect the cave sediments with archaeological and palaeontological remains.

Author of the text Patricija Bratina, Conservation Councillor