An ancient lakeside meal
In the Megalopolis Basin, a region of southern Greece long known for its fossil-filled sediments, lies the Marathousa 1 (MAR-1) archaeological site. Discovered in 2013 within an open-cast lignite mine, the site records life during the Middle Pleistocene. Radiometric dating places the hominin activity at MAR-1 between 400,000 and 500,000 years ago. The site is situated on what was once the muddy shore of a shallow lake or swamp.
The central find is the partial skeleton of a straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). This extinct species was one of the largest land mammals of its time. The remains, including a cranium, femur, ribs, and vertebrae, were found in direct association with a collection of stone tools. Close examination of the elephant bones reveals distinct cut marks and evidence of percussion damage, indicating that archaic humans systematically butchered the massive animal. This evidence from MAR-1 is currently the oldest known archaeological site in Greece and the only Lower Paleolithic butchering site found in the Southern Balkans.
The hunters and their world
The toolmakers and butchers at Marathousa 1 were archaic hominins, possibly Homo heidelbergensis, the last common ancestor of both Neanderthals and modern humans. The stone tools they left behind are primarily small, sharp flakes made from locally sourced materials like flint and quartz. Though simple in appearance, these implements were highly effective for processing the carcass.
The excellent preservation conditions at the site, thanks to the fine-grained lakeside sediment, have also yielded environmental data. In addition to the elephant, fossils of other animals like giant deer, bovids, rodents, turtles, and birds have been recovered. Plant remains, including wood, seeds, and fruit, allow for a detailed reconstruction of the local paleoenvironment. This collection of evidence shows a lakeside ecosystem actively used by a population of skilled hominin hunters. The discovery confirms that early humans in this region were hunting and actively hunting or confronting some of the largest animals in their environment.