A new Greek sequence of early Upper Palaeolithic, Aurignacian, Epigravettia
n, and Mesolithic assemblages, which differs from the sequence of Franchthi
and Kephalari caves, was uncovered during the excavations in Cave 1 in Kli
soura Gorge (Western Peloponnese). This is the first cae of Middle Palaeoli
thic deposits immediately covered by an Early Upper Palaeolithic assemblage
. The long Middle Palaeolithic in this site underlies a long sequence of Up
per Palaeolithic layers. Most interesting is the Early Upper Palaeolithic i
ndustry which contains numerous arched backed blades and other lithics demo
nstrating morphological affinities to the Italian Uluzzian, a resemblance t
hat raises questions concerning the potential makers of this industry. Abov
e it, several Aurignacian levels dated from 24 t0 34 ka BP were exposed. Th
is is the first well-dated sequence of Aurignacian occupations in Greece in
which a number of basin-like hearth structures were exposed, lined with a
clay that had been brought in and specially prepared. The Aurignacian seque
nce is covered by Epigravettian layers. The unconformity between the Epigra
vettian and the underlying Aurignacian corresponds to the Last Glacial Maxi
mum. A Mesolithic layer caps the prehistoric sequence.