Hohle Fels Cave
Hohle Fels
Germany · Baden-Württemberg, Alb-Donau
In brief
Excavations in the cave have exposed layers extending from Neanderthal use to Upper Paleolithic artistic production. Figurines and musical instruments are among the site's main archaeological finds.
What was found?
- 1Venus of Hohle Fels
It is a female figurine carved from mammoth ivory. Found in Aurignacian layers, the work is an important example of early sculptural representations of the human body.
- 2Bone flute
A flute with five finger holes, made from the forearm bone of a griffon vulture, was found. The preserved mouthpiece and holes provide direct evidence of the manufacture of early musical instruments.
- 3Ivory bird figurines
Bird figurines carved from mammoth ivory were found in the cave. These detailed small sculptures are early examples of animal observation and fine carving.
- 4Bear vertebra with an embedded stone point
A stone point was identified in a cave bear vertebra, along with cut marks on the bone. According to researchers, this find shows that cave bears were hunted during the Gravettian period.
What does it point to?
Hohle Fels shows that early humans skillfully worked bone and ivory to produce musical instruments and small sculptures. Animal remains and stone tools reveal that this artistic production coexisted with hunting and everyday technology.
What did it teach us?
- It documented the presence of figurative sculptures and musical instruments together in Aurignacian layers.
- It showed that bone and mammoth ivory could be worked in detail.
- According to researchers, the bear vertebra with an embedded stone point provided direct evidence of cave bear hunting.
Images
Latest news / selected archive
2026: The University of Tübingen announced two small mammoth ivory bird figurines, approximately 40,000 years old, found during the 2025 excavations.
Record
- Culture
- Mousterian, Aurignacian and Gravettian
- First modern dig
- 1870
- Team / historical
- Nicholas J. Conard; University of Tübingen
- Coordinates
- 48.3792°, 9.7556°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Hochdorf Chieftain's Grave 79 km
- Glauberg Celtic Settlement 221 km
- Vix–Mont Lassois Settlement and Burial Site 391 km
- Schöningen Spear Horizon 427 km
- Pömmelte Ring Sanctuary 428 km
- Bibracte 458 km
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- 12.000
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