Matetina pećina

Test excavation in Matetina pećina and field survey of the southern slopes of Kozjak and Labinštica mountains, between Matetina pećina and Mujina pećina, have been conducted from 11-22 March 2013. The main objective of the research in Matetina pećina was to determine the existence of cultural layers especially those from Mousterian. Matetina pećina is located in a strategic position above Kaštela Bay on the southern slopes of the Kozjak mountain ( 287asl , 43 ° 34’58 ” N , 16 ° 19 ‘ 41 ” E ). It is located about 6 km as the crow flies from Mujina pećina in which Late Mousterian layers have been excavated. The geographical closeness of previously mentioned caves was another reason for conducting test excavation in Matetina pećina. Matetina pećina is 20 m long and ranges in width from 1.5 to 5.5 m. The entrance is narrow and tall, and the cave has a lot of daylight. Test trench was placed in the NW part of the cave , in the rear, in a dry place . Test trench was 1m2 in size and excavated to a depth of 30 cm. No traces of human habitation have been found. Underneath very thin surface layer with recent garbage, layer of marl and sporadically clay have been documented representing geological strata without the presence of human habitation.