| Divje Babe | |
|---|---|
 Inside Divje Babe I | |
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| Location | Municipality of Cerkno,Slovenia |
| Coordinates | 46°06′46″N13°54′56″E / 46.11278°N 13.91556°E /46.11278; 13.91556 |
| Length | 45 m (148 ft) |
| Geology | Karst |
| Cave survey | 15 m (49 ft) |
Divje Babe (pronounced[ˈdiːwjɛˈbaːbɛ]) is akarst cave and archaeological park overlooking theIdrijca River in northwesternSlovenia. It is noted for itsPaleolithic remains, including the worked bone of cave bear known as theDivje Babe Flute, which has controversially been interpreted as aNeanderthal musical instrument.[1]
The nameDivje Babe (literally, 'wild women') refers to witches, which were often believed to live in caves.[2][3] The name therefore means 'Witch Cave'.
Divje Babe is located at 230 m (750 ft) above the valley of the Idrijca River. The Idrijca cuts through theIdrija Hills andCerkno Hills, and opens to theSoča River.[4]
The cave site (Divje Babe I) was excavated from 1978 to 1986 by Mitja Brodar, and again from 1989 to 1995 by Ivan Turk and Janez Dirjec.[4] The excavations dug through 12 m (39 ft) of infilling consisting of 26 main sediment layers. Among the artifacts uncovered wereAurignacian finds, including a bone point (in layer 2 or 3) dated to around 35,000 years ago. Around eight layers from theMesolithic have been excavated containing around 20hearths, 600stone tools, and several bone artifacts.[4] Numerous skeletal remains of thecave bear have also been found.[1]
TheDivje Babe Flute was found in layer 8, dated to theMiddle Paleolithic of 50,000 to 35,000 years ago.[4] It was in close vicinity to a hearth, indicating the presence of prehistoric people, probably Neanderthals.[4] The flute is a fragment of a thigh bone from a young cave bear with four recessed holes.[4] The interpretation of the artifact as a flute is controversial and has been subject of fierce debate; some research instead suggests that the holes are of animal origin,hyena teeth marks.[5]
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