| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Rožňava District,Slovakia |
| Part of | Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst |
| Criteria | Natural: (viii) |
| Reference | 725ter |
| Inscription | 1995 (19thSession) |
| Extensions | 2000, 2008 |
| Coordinates | 48°28′36″N20°28′21″E / 48.47667°N 20.47250°E /48.47667; 20.47250 |
| Official name | Domica |
| Designated | 2 February 2001 |
| Reference no. | 1051[1] |
  Domica Cave Location of Domica Cave in Košice Region  Domica Cave Domica Cave (Slovakia) Show map of Slovakia | |
TheDomica cave is akarst cave situated on the south-western border of theSilicka planina Plateau 10 km (6.2 mi) south-east ofPlesivec in theRožňava District of theKošice Region in southernSlovakia. In combination with theBaradla cave, it makes up the most significant section of theAggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst cross-border cave network that continues into theAggtelek National Park inHungary.[2] The cave is well-known for its complex structure and high density ofspeleothems.[3]
These vast limestone passages, that had formed during the MiddleTriassic and are rich inspeleothems were discovered in 1926 by Ján Majko. A 1,600 m (5,200 ft) section of its total length of 5,140 m (16,860 ft) has been publicly accessible since 1932.[4]
As an element of theCaves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst the site was listed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1995 because of the diversity of cave features found within it and its record of both tropical and temperate effects on karst cave formation.[3]
The site belongs to a complex variety of karstic formations that include 712 caves, many of which were well known among the local population for centuries. Bartholomeides, a priest fromOchtiná, documented his first systematic excursions into theCertova diera Cave in 1801. His conclusions that a number of the local caves are simply parts of a bigger entity were corroborated by the explorer I.Vass, who surveyed the Baradla cave in 1821. E.Nyari took up archaeological work in 1881 and suggested a connection of theCertova diera andBaradla Cave as did K. Siegmenth in 1891. Only the extensive work of Jan Majko in 1926 confirmed the interconnection of several local caves and lead to the discovery of the Domica cave on October 3, 1926. J. Majko penetrated from its bottom through a 15 m deep abyss into large underground spaces in 1926 where plenty of archaeological discoveries were made later.[2][5]
The Domica Cave is situated in theSlovak karst and consists of light limestone of the MiddleTriassic. The passages were shaped by the waters of an underground river, calledStyx.Speleothem decoration is omnipresent and very impressive, including cascades of stalactite lakes, variously shaped stalactites domed temples and notablybatguano, that had diffused intosinter crusts accounts for unique forms and textures of surface decoration.
Karst processes have over tens of millions of years created diverse structures and habitats that date back to the Late Cretaceous. Subsequent periods of temperate, glacial, subtropical and tropical climatic conditions excellently demonstrate karst formation under varying conditions.[3] Biologists, geologists and paleontologists are confronted with a rich set of various conditions, that affect sedimentation, evolution and fossilization in a geological time frame.[6]
Jaroslav Böhm directed excavations during the 1930s. Human presence has been documented dating back to thePaleolithic. The cave had presumably been a casual refuge for the oldestNeolithic inhabitants of Eastern Slovakia. However, the cave has been frequented by Neolithic humans of theBükk culture, who might even have manufactured their distinct thin-walled pottery inside the cave. The original entrance of the Domica Cave was blocked by debris after Paleo-humans had abandoned it and the cave became inaccessible.
Post holes from dwelling objects and fireplaces were discovered in several places of the cave. More than 200 reconstructed containers from sherds as well as a terrace-dug slope in a fine-grained loam on the Styx bank with imprints of stone axes are evidences of ceramics manufacture in the cave. Irons, awls, arrows, the oldest comb in Europe, ring, decorated cylinder bracelet and fishhook represent the peak of Neolithic processing of bones. Also pendants from shells and animal teeth were preserved.[7][8]
