The Caves of Marina di Camerota (Grotte di Marina di Camerota) are a series of coastal and inland caves located in Marina di Camerota, along the Cilento Coast in Campania, Italy. This site includes a group of prehistoric caves of archaeological and speleological interest. Excavations conducted since the 1950s have identified evidence of human presence from the late Middle Palaeolithic to the Chalcolithic period, documenting successive phases of prehistoric human presence along the southern Tyrrhenian coast.
Location The caves are located along the Cilento coast in southern Campania, Italy, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are situated near the village of Marina di Camerota, in the province of Salerno, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The site extends for several kilometers between Capo Palinuro and Scario, following a coastline of cliffs, coves, and small inlets. Many of the caves open directly onto the sea or are found just inland among Mediterranean vegetation, with views across the Gulf of Policastro.
The caves are accessible by land via walking paths and by sea, by boat from Marina di Camerota.
Geology Coastal geomorphological studies conducted in the vicinity of the Baia degli Infreschi area indicate that the Camerota cave system developed in connection with Late Quaternary sea-level fluctuations. The caves were formed through the gradual erosion of Mesozoic limestone through water and marine action over thousands of years. This process created karst features such as small stalactites and flowstones, which indicate alternating dry and wet phases in the area's geological past.
The Mediterranean climate of the area, characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, contributed to the development of the cavities. Seasonal changes in temperature and humidity facilitated processes of limestone dissolution and recrystallization, influencing the formation and modification of internal surfaces. Fluctuations in sea levels and in the circulation of groundwater during the Quaternary glaciation period varied the morphology of the coastal caves. These geological processes produced distinctive natural formations along the coastline.
Karst processes identified along the carbonate slopes of southern Campania include dissolution along fracture systems and the development of overhangs and cavities, some of which are associated with rock-fall scars and collapsed blocks at the base of cliffs. These processes are also observed in the Camerota area and contribute to the present morphology of many coastal and inland caves.
Climatic characteristics Mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, with marked seasonal variations in temperature and humidity typical of the Mediterranean climate. Effect on carbonate rocks Seasonal changes in moisture and temperature promote limestone dissolution and later recrystallization, influencing the development of karst features. Impact on cave formation Repeated cycles of dissolution contribute to the creation and enlargement of cavities, channels and other karst structures. Formation of mineral deposits Alternation between humid and dry periods regulates calcite precipitation, leading to the growth of stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones. Interaction with Quaternary climate fluctuations Glacial–interglacial cycles affected sea levels and underground water flow, gradually altering the shape of coastal caves. Role of marine processes In coastal areas, wave action erodes limestone cliffs and promotes the development of tunnels, cavities and other coastal karst features.
Prehistoric eras Upper Palaeolithic period The caves at Marina di Camerota form a part of a wider group of Late Pleistocene archaeological sites in southern Italy that evidence Neanderthal and early modern human occupations. Archaeological evidence recovered from sites such as Grotta della Cala, Grotta del Poggio and Grotta Taddeo, indicates that this area was frequently occupied by humans throughout the Upper Palaeolithic.
The Upper Palaeolithic stratigraphic succession at Grotta della Cala includes Late Epigravettian layers, underlying levels traditionally attributed to the Early and Evolved Epigravettian periods. These overlay a Gravettian layer resting on Middle Palaeolithic deposits. Excavations in the atrium area have documented Uluzzian, Proto-Aurignacian and Early Gravettian assemblages, giving the Camerota caves one of the most complete Upper Palaeolithic sequences on the Tyrrhenian side of the Italian peninsula.
Radiocarbon dating of these levels places the Gravettian occupations at around 29,000–28,000 calibrated years BP, the Epigravettian levels in the range of roughly 22,000–18,000 cal BP, and the Late Epigravettian layers in the Late Glacial period.
Mesolithic period Human occupation in the Mesolithic period is evidenced in Grotta della Cala, where excavations in 2004 found a grindstone used for ochre processing, chipped stone artefacts, and a painted pebble, in addition to the remains of extensive marine animals and medium to large land mammals. Two radiocarbon dates obtained from charcoal in layer 7 (Beta-74162: 8370 ± 80 BP; Beta-123856: 8060 ± 100 BP) calibrate to 7579–7189 BC and 7314–6687 BC.
Neolithic period During the Neolithic period Grotta della Cala was used as a habitation and burial site. Excavations have uncovered ceramic vessels, bone fishing hooks, and an infant burial. The Neolithic stratigraphy shows a shift in material culture indicating domestic, ritual and subsistence activities within the cave.
Chalcolithic period Marina di Camerota was inhabited by prehistoric communities during the Copper Age or Chalcolithic period, as testified by the finds in caves like Grotta della Cala. Excavations have found ceramic containers and bone hooks from the Chalcolithic period, together with a series of other finds from previous periods in the same cave. Settlement continuity and technological development are manifested in this layer, which includes copper.
The caves + Caves of Marina di Camerota Name Size Coordinates AccessibleFindings/Peculiarities Grotta della Cala 27 x 5 meters By sea and landMesolithic and Neolithic layers, ochre, stone tools, painted pebble.Grotta del PoggioLength: ≈ 23 metersBy sea and landFaunal remains of large mammals and rhinoceros, human remains and lithic artifacts. Grotta della Serratura Length: ≈ 77 metersBy seaHuman remains, bone tools, decorated shells, hearths. Cala Monte di Luna Length: ≈ 94 meters By seaNatural rock arch.Grotta di PozzalloLength: ≈ 18 meters By seaCoastal cave with spring.Grotta di San Biagio 6.5 x 15 metersBy landSmall chapel with wall paintings.Grotta Taddeo 16 x 10 metersBy seaHuman teeth, faunal remains, lithic tools. Grotta del Noglio 8 × 4 meters Not open to public Evidence of prehistoric activity, possibly used seasonally for fishing. Grotta del ToroLength: ≈ 35 meters By seaSea cave, named for its shape.Grotta AzzurraLength: ≈ 36 meters By sea, occasionally by landSea cave, named for its intense blue color.
Grotta della Cala Grotta della Cala is one of the most important archaeological caves in Marina di Camerota. Located a few metres from the sea, it consists of front and rear chambers connected by a narrow passage that gives it an hourglass shape. The cave contains traces of Neanderthal occupation, including pebbles and bone tools dating to the Middle Paleolithic. Later, the site was used by Homo sapiens, who left stone tools such as scrapers and blades associated with hunting and food preparation.
Archaeological research has documented a long sequence of prehistoric occupation, including a Mesolithic layer containing a hearth, a grindstone covered with red ochre, a painted pebble, and numerous terrestrial and marine faunal remains. Stone artefacts include side-scrapers, end-scrapers and microliths. Several shells show piercings and traces of ochre, suggesting their use as personal ornaments. Two radiocarbon dates on charcoal from this layer calibrate to 7579–7189 BC and 7314–6687 BC, indicating human activity during the early Holocene period.
Recent work on the lithic assemblage from layer O in the internal series has reassigned this level from the Evolved to the Early Epigravettian period, on the basis of its production schemes and typology. A techno-typological and low-power use-wear study of 41 backed pieces and shouldered points from this layer identified several armatures used as mechanically delivered projectiles, alongside semi-finished pieces and tools used for cutting or piercing. The same study shows that some of the cherts used for these implements are non-local, suggesting contacts between groups on the southern Tyrrhenian and central–southern Adriatic sides of the Italian Peninsula. Faunal remains from layer O are dominated by red deer, with additional wild boar, roe deer, aurochs and caprines, indicating hunting focused on ungulates in largely wooded environments with some open habitats.
The cave contains installations developed by the University of Siena in collaboration with the Superintendence and the management of the Virtual Museum of the Paleolithic of Camerota, including archaeological finds and dioramas in sections of the excavated cave floor, depicting scenes from prehistoric daily life. The cave is open to the public and accessible through guided tours organised by local associations in Marina di Camerota.
Grotta del Poggio The Poggio Complex is situated on a spur east of Marina di Camerota. It originally consisted of a large natural cavity, which collapsed during the Pleistocene period due to water erosion to form the current shape, now known as Riparo del Poggio. The site contained substantial evidence of Neanderthal occupation dating to the glacial period of the Middle Paleolithic, with occupation levels dated to between approximately 200,000 and 140,000 years ago.
The principal archaeological remains consist of stone tools, including points, blades, and scrapers, and human remains, specifically a molar and an ankle bone, as well as bones of extinct animals such as elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus) and rhinoceroses, some of which exhibit evidence of butchering by early humans.
Ongoing excavations conducted by Italian universities have established Grotta del Poggio as one of the most significant Paleolithic sites in Italy. Since 2022, the site has been included in a European research project focused on Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens.
Grotta della Serratura Grotta della Serratura, also known as Grotta della Chiave, is a deep cave situated along Lentischelle beach in Marina di Camerota. The cave's name comes from its distinctive keyhole-shaped opening, which led to its being called 'Serratura' (meaning 'Lock' in Italian).
It is a large archaeological site with evidence of ongoing human activity and settlement during both the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. The site has been partly eroded by the sea, with the best preserved deposits occurring 50 meters from the entrance where erosion has been minimal.
Excavations have uncovered evidence of Neolithic human activity, including isolated human remains, bone tools, decorated shells, and numerous hearths indicating the controlled use of fire. Painted pebbles adorned with red ochre have been found, suggesting symbolic or ritual practices.
Faunal remains within the cave indicate a broad subsistence strategy, with the consumption of terrestrial animals, birds, mollusks, and marine fish such as eels, Sparus aurata (orata), and Pagellus (pagello).
Grotta del Noglio