Chertovy Vorota Cave

Chertovy Vorota Cave is a limestone cave in the Sikhote-Alin mountains located high above the Krivaya River. The interior features a spacious main chamber connected to smaller galleries that together contain thousands of artifacts from ancient occupation periods.

Archaeological work starting in the 1970s uncovered extensive evidence of Neolithic settlement at this location. The findings reveal how people occupied and used this cave across multiple periods of habitation.

The remains of seven individuals found in the cave provided the first genetic identification of the Ancient Northeast Asian population connections.

This protected site is accessible to visitors and requires respect for the archaeological materials and safety guidelines in place. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and narrow passages, making sturdy footwear and a flashlight helpful.

The cave contained textile remains dated to between 9400 and 8400 years ago, representing the oldest known textiles from East Asia. These exceptional organic finds demonstrate that early people already possessed sophisticated weaving skills.