In the Ivanec region, the beginnings of the human race are etched in history forever. In dark caves such as those in Vindija, the Great Cave on Ravna gora and the "Severov" quarry near Vuglovac, traces of time reveal precious historical moments from the earliest days of mankind.

Imagine the sound of stone axes from the Bronze Age that were found in Ivanec, Prigorec, Stažnjevec, Vuglovec, near Sveti Rok, Kuljevčica and Bedenec. Ancient money was discovered in Ivanečka Željeznica, while remains of bones and bronze tools were found in Vuglovec.

This area is a real treasure trove of historical artifacts, from traces of prehistoric people and tools from the Old Stone Age all the way to proto-Slavic cultures. Stjepan Vuković and Mirko Malez devoted themselves deeply to the research of this interesting area. Their research showed that Croatian Zagorje was the natural habitat of Paleolithic hunters, which makes it the "cradle of the Paleolithic" not only in Croatia, but also in the whole of Southeast Europe.

The earliest tools they found, such as oval wedges, spikes and cleavers near the village of Punikve, date back approximately 500,000 years! They are the first artifacts ever created by man, used for various everyday tasks at that time. But that is also us, that is our history that reminds us of the indestructible spirit of humanity that has survived through the millennia.