UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura
Germany

Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura

Ice Age human habitation and art site

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura are a collection of six caves located in southern Germany, which served as significant sites for Ice Age human habitation and artistic expression during the Upper Paleolithic period. These caves, situated in the Lone and Ach valleys, are renowned for yielding the oldest known non-stationary artworks and musical instruments, such as carved animal and humanoid figurines, including the famous Lion Man and Venus of Hohle Fels. The site reflects the early development of symbolic communication and cultural practices among early modern humans who migrated into Europe. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017, this site provides invaluable insights into the origins of human art and culture over 40,000 years ago.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

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FileAdorant_Geissenkloesterle_Blaubeuren.jpg
FileBocksteinhoehle_2016-05-08.jpg
FileBocksteinmesser_Nr_2482.jpg
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Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Creation of Lion Man Sculpture

41,000–39,000 years ago

Creation of Venus of Hohle Fels

42,000–41,000 years ago

Creation of Musical Instruments

43,150–39,370 years ago

Early Modern Human Migration

43,000 years ago

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Human FigurinesMusical Instruments
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Germany

Coordinates

48.39° N, 9.77° E