Gudenus cave

The Gudenus cave, located near Krems in north-eastern Austria, is an important archaeological site that provides insight into the Palaeolithic era. This 22-meter-long cave, positioned 7.5 meters above a stream, contains a wealth of animal fossils from species such as the Woolly mammoth and Reindeer, indicating a rich biodiversity during its period of habitation. Human presence is evidenced by numerous flint implements, indicative of Mousterian tool use by Neanderthals in the Middle Paleolithic. Additionally, the site features an Upper Palaeolithic Magdalenian assemblage, highlighted by an engraved reindeer bone and a bone flute fragment, shedding light on early human artistic expression and possibly musical endeavors. The Gudenus cave serves as a crucial link to understanding early human life and environmental conditions during the Palaeolithic period.