Wolf Cave, Archaeological site in Kristinestad, Finland.
Wolf Cave is a deep rock fissure in the Pyhävuori mountain near Kristinestad with multiple geological layers and natural stone formations. The site displays complex rock structures spanning several meters that preserve traces of ancient human activity.
Excavations in the 1990s uncovered stone tools suggesting human presence during the Ice Age period. These discoveries showed that people traveled through and used this location thousands of years ago.
The site bears its name from historical wolf attacks recorded in the area, reflecting the long relationship between people and wildlife in the region. Visitors can sense how this location shapes Finns' understanding of their deep past.
Access to the cave comes through marked hiking trails from Kristinestad, with information signs along the path explaining geological and archaeological features. The routes are relatively easy to walk and offer views across the surrounding landscape.
The finds here rank among the oldest known traces of human presence in far northern regions, showing that early humans already adapted to extreme climates. Such distant presence surprised researchers who previously assumed humans stayed in warmer lands.
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