Gudenushöhle | |
Gudenus Cave interior | |
| Location | nearLichtenau im Waldviertel |
|---|---|
| Region | Lower Austria |
| Coordinates | 48°26′49″N15°23′44″E / 48.44682°N 15.3956°E /48.44682; 15.3956 |
| History | |
| Periods | Paleolithic |
TheGudenus Cave (German:Gudenushöhle) is anarchaeological site near the city ofKrems in north-easternAustria. It is noted for itsfossils and remains ofPalaeolithic human settlers.
The Gudenus Cavern is situated 20 km (12 mi) northwest of the city ofKrems, in the valley of theLittle Krems, not far fromWillendorf, inLower Austria.[1] The site is close to theRiver Danube.[2] The cave is 22 m (72 ft) long with a width of 2 to 3 m (6.6 to 9.8 ft) and is situated 7.5 m (25 ft) above the level of the stream.[1]
The archaeological deposit has yielded bones of numerous animals, includingWoolly mammoth,Woolly rhinoceros,Aurochs,Chamois,Reindeer, andRed deer.[1] Human artifacts include numerous flint implements beginning with theMousterian (i.e.Neanderthals) of theMiddle Paleolithic, although there is no certainty as to the dating.[2] There is also anUpper Palaeolithic,Magdalenian, assemblage including an engravedreindeer bone,[3] and a fragment of a boneflute dated to about 16,000–10,000 BCE.[4]
Media related toGudenushöhle at Wikimedia Commons