The Ephorate of Paleoanthropology – Speleology issued a statement, describing the recent press release of the Museum of Geology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), issued on September 8th.

According to the Ephorate, the bulletin attempts to clarify things about “Petralonian man”however, includes inaccurate information. The Ephorate, as a Special Regional Service of the Ministry of Culture and responsible for the management of the Petralona Cave, points out that the recent study of Falguères and Partners (2025) in the Journal of Human Evolution (issue 206), was based on a dating of the ultimate method Stalagmitic material associated with the human skull of Petralona, ​​the iconic finding of the space.

According to the press release of the Committee of the Museum of Geology-Paleontology-Paltropology (GE-PA-PAL) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is being questioned by the origin of the sample, and it is argued that the age of the archaeological cannot exceed 350,000 years. The Head of the Ephorate of Paleoanthropology – Speleology, Andreas Darlas, in his statements to the Athens/Macedonian News Agency, explains that dating was performed with the most modern and reliable methods.

As he stated, “The dating was done with the most up -to -date and reliable methods. This is a result that marks the beginning to get the things of Petralona in place. “. The study, according to Mr Darla, was based on analyzes carried out after the official approval of the Ministry of Culture, with the same person responsible for the process and sampling. Falgueres of the Institut de Paléontologie Humaine in Paris. Samples also include a remnant of an earlier sample, which had been sent to the Institute since the 1980s by the then professor of AUTH I. Melendis. In the past, techniques required greater amounts of material, which prevented the dating. With the latest methods, the residue proved sufficient to export clear outcome. The age of the Petralona man was determined in 286,000 years ago, with a divergence of a plus of 9,000 years, Mr Darlas notes, noting that the finding may be even older, as the sample came from a stalagmite formed on the skull. The Ephorate also denounces omission or concealment of items On the part of the AUTH Committee, stressing that all the data on the sample origin is described in detail in the Journal of Human Evolution. Their non -reference to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, according to the Ephorate, raises questions. Finally, the ownership issue of the findings of the Petralona cave is returning. The Ephorate stresses that, under archaeological law 4858/2021 and relevant documents with the signatures of AUTH teachers, the findings belong to the Greek state (Ministry of Culture) and should be returned.