| Tischofer Cave | |
|---|---|
 The Tischofer Cave | |
 Interactive map of Tischofer Cave | |
| Location | Kaisertal,Tyrol,Austria |
| Coordinates | 47°35′31″N12°11′48″E / 47.59194°N 12.19667°E /47.59194; 12.19667 |
| Length | 40 m (130 ft) |
TheTischofer Cave (German:Tischofer Höhle) is acave in theKaisertal valley in theKaisergebirge mountains inAustria. It was a locally important gathering place and weapons cache during theTyrolean Rebellion in theNapoleonic Wars. The roughly 40 m (130 ft) long cave, which is about 8.5 m (28 ft) high at the entrance, was occupied bycave bears and other predators as shelter during thePaleolithic as evidenced by numerous excavated skeletal remains. Bone tools of paleo-human inhabitants made ofcave bear bones and skulls discovered here and dated to about 27,000 - 28,000 years ago may be viewed in the local history museum in the fortress atKufstein. That dating makes the Tischofer Cave the oldest known uncontested site of human occupation inTyrol.[1]
Discoveries of more recent human skeletons and associated tools also indicate that the cave served as acopper smithy and foundry during theBronze Age.
The Tischofer Cave may be reached on foot via the Kaiser Path (Kaiseraufstieg) in the Kaisertal valley, a pathway secured with cable railings. It is recorded in the Tyrolean Cave Register as number 1312/001.
