Ofnethöhlen | |
 Large Ofnet Cave | |
  Ofnet Caves location in Germany Show map of Baden-Württemberg Ofnet Caves Ofnet Caves (Germany) Show map of Germany | |
| Location | Nördlingen |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°49′7″N10°27′1″E / 48.81861°N 10.45028°E /48.81861; 10.45028 |
| Type | Cave |
| History | |
| Periods | Mesolithic |
TheOfnet Caves (German:Ofnethöhlen) are the remains of an undergroundkarst system on the edge of theNördlinger Ries inGermany. They are located on a limestone hill nearNördlingen, Bavaria. The caves became famous in 1908 when 33 prehistoric human skulls were discovered. The skulls were dated to theMesolithic period.
There are two caves (or rock shelters) called the Grosse and Kleine Ofnet (Large and Small Ofnet).[1]
In the Grosse Ofnet in 1908 archaeologistR. R. Schmidt found two dish-shaped pits in which human skulls were lying "like eggs in flat baskets".[1] In the larger pit were 27 skulls and in the other there were 6 skulls.[2] The skulls were arranged concentrically with their faces turned towards the setting sun.[2] They were all covered with a thick layer ofred ochre.[2] The skulls have been dated to the 7th millennium BC.[3]
Media related toOfnethöhlen at Wikimedia Commons
