Paleolithic times bring Paleolithic weather and yet, our intrepid group of young would-be paleontologists were excited to be visiting one of the most important prehistoric sites of the Balkan region… The Risovaca Cave, located on the outskirts of Arandjelovac.
An excited Year 5 and Year 6 ventured forth, leaving the miserable grey of the Belgrade City. By the time we arrived at the cave site, the rain had ceased, thankfully.
Both year groups were led and guided round this amazing site. The concept that what we were looking at existed many thousands of years before was quite overwhelming and impressive.
We were greeted at the cave entrance by a family of neanderthals crouched around a fire. The strong hunter with his stone club raised above his head; the other members taking warmth from the fire.
As we proceeded deeper into the cave, wild animals – cave lions and huge bears amongst them - peered from the shadows. These were no ordinary bears, no. These were towering three-metre high specimens of animal! Thankfully, these animals no longer exist. The only evidence of wildlife were some bats in the vaults of the cave, which Year 6 were lucky enough to see. Maybe next time, Year 5!
Our guide pointed out the spectacular geological features within the caves: onyx, ‘snow crystals’ minerals of different descriptions, stalagmites and stalactites, condensation pools and many more.
What seemed like a small cave to begin with turned into a labyrinth of nearly 200 metres with several ‘chambers’ revealing themselves as we walked deeper into the cave.
After seeing the caves first hand, we proceeded into the town to visit the museum.
Although it was a small museum, its permanent collection exhibited artifacts from prehistoric times through to the twentieth century. Perhaps the most impressive exhibit was the huge, skeleton of a prehistoric bear growling down at us as we listened attentively to the curator of the museum.
All in all, a very successful day was had by our Chartwell paleontologists as we boarded the bus to return back to the present day.
Congratulations go to Luka (5B) and Lara (6B) for their excellent recounts of the day.
