The paper presents preliminary stratigraphic observations on the late Pleistocene–early Holocene deposits of Limnopoula rockshelter, a coastal site on Mount Varassova (western Greece). Our focus is on geoarchaeological evidence and on the complexity of the rockshelter fill, shaped by the interaction of karst and marine processes. The rockshelter lies at the base of a high vertical cliff on the southern Varassova massif, projecting into the Patraikos Gulf. Situated slightly above the modern sea level, Limnopoula has an arched opening that allows direct exposure of its interior to coastal conditions. Field research conducted by the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology-Speleology has documented a fragmented archaeological fill with evidence for two main horizons: (a) a loose floor sediment of late Pleistocene–early Holocene date, occupying almost half the height of the rockshelter and showing clear signs of disturbance, and (b) a series of lithified deposits preserved discontinuously at various heights on the rock walls, both above and below the present level of the loose sediment. These cemented remnants incorporate cultural materials, dietary remains, and evidence of fire dated from the late Pleistocene through the Holocene and appear to have survived marine erosion by virtue of karst processes and carbonate cementation. The paper draws on macroscopic sediment observations, test excavation data, radiocarbon dating, lithic analysis, and archaeobotanical evidence to reconstruct the original sequence of human activity in the rockshelter and the geoarchaeological stages of its fragmentation. Sea-level fluctuations and wave action impacting the rockshelter from outside, combined with carbonate precipitation and speleothem formation in its interior, contributed to the preservation of some stratigraphic segments while erasing others. Limnopoula emerges as an illuminating case study of how coastal and karst dynamics can simultaneously erode, displace, and preserve archaeological stratigraphy, transforming an originally continuous deposit into fragmentary fills of contrasting texture, form, and depositional history.

First Author: Elli Karkazi

Co-Authors: Stella Katsarou, Stefanos Ligkovanlis, Eleni Asouti, Ceren Kabukcu, Andreas Darlas

Keywords:
rockshelter
sea erosion
karst
cave stratigraphy
western Greece
archaeobotany