Vindija Cave Interpretation Center receives Neanderthal bone replicas

American anthropologist Professor Fred H. Smith has donated 16 replicas of Neanderthal bones to the future Interpretation Center of Vindija Cave. The donation was presented to Varaždin County Prefect Anđelko Stričak during a meeting at the County Palace.

Professor Smith, who recognized the global importance of the Vindija Cave findings as early as the 1980s, described the site as a unique and crucial source of information regarding late Neanderthals and their relationship with early modern humans. The cave is considered one of the world's most significant prehistoric sites.

The new Interpretation Center aims to bring the scientific value of the site to the general public while supporting ongoing research. The project is a collaborative effort involving local authorities and academic experts, including Professor Ivor Karavanić from the University of Zagreb, who has studied the cave for over 30 years. The original bone specimens are preserved at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.