Publications
The influence of fragmentation on a combined ZooMS and zooarchaeological study at Geißenklösterle Cave in the Swabian Jura, Southwestern Germany
A combined ZooMS and zooarchaeological study at Geißenklösterle Cave, a significant Palaeolithic site in the Swabian Jura, reveals that carnivore damage was three times more prevalent on indeterminate fossils than those with diagnostic features. The research also identifies the earliest anthropogenic modification—a cut-mark—on a woolly rhinoceros bone in the region. Using ZooMS on 988 non-identifiable bone fragments, the study achieved a 98.4% success rate for collagen preservation and highlights potential biases introduced by fragment size in species identification. This work advances our understanding of Palaeolithic site use, human behavior, and the integration of ZooMS into zooarchaeological workflows.
A Hand-axe from Lake Schmiechen, District Alb-Donau
A rare Middle Palaeolithic hand-axe, discovered near Lake Schmiechen in the Swabian Jura, sheds light on a previously underrepresented phase of prehistoric human activity in the region. The artifact, initially found around 1960 during ornithological studies but only recently identified through analysis at Museum Ulm, belongs to a later stage of the Middle Palaeolithic period—distinct from larger series typically associated with cave sites in the eastern Swabian Jura. This discovery is significant as it expands the known distribution of such tools, which are seldom found outside cave contexts in this area. The find spot's proximity to other notable Paleolithic sites, including the Kogelstein cave ruin and Hohle Fels, further underscores its archaeological importance. The study highlights the potential for additional Middle Palaeolithic findings in the region, particularly in non-cave environments.
A Research-Historical Review of the Stratigraphy of Geißenklösterle Cave near Blaubeuren
Geißenklösterle Cave holds significant insights into the Upper Palaeolithic period and the spread of anatomically modern humans. A recent research-historical review highlights that while the cave's stratigraphy presents challenges due to past excavation methods and external influences, it retains substantial integrity, particularly in its Aurignacian layers. The study reconstructs the chronological process of layer identification and naming, revealing inconsistencies caused by earlier test trenches and deep soundings. Despite these issues, the pioneering work of Joachim Hahn established a robust foundation for understanding Palaeolithic occupation. This review underscores the importance of critical analysis within the research-historical context to advance knowledge of Aurignacian occupation at Geißenklösterle.
Carving the Chimeric Mind: The Hohlenstein-Stadel Ivory and the Genesis of Therianthropic Cognition
The Löwenmensch figurine, discovered in the Hohlenstein-Stadel cave and dated to approximately 40,000 years ago, represents a pivotal artifact in human cognitive evolution. This therianthropic sculpture, combining elements of a cave lion and a bipedal human, is the earliest known depiction of a non-natural being, suggesting a significant leap in abstract thought, symbolic representation, and 'cognitive fluidity.' The study examines the figurine's archaeological context, technological craftsmanship, and iconography to argue that its creation marks the emergence of complex symbolic systems underpinning modern human culture, mythology, and religion. This challenges the notion that such cognitive capabilities developed later in human history.
Reconstructing flexible pathways of Aurignacian blade and bladelet production at Vogelherd
A detailed analysis of Aurignacian blade and bladelet production at Vogelherd Cave reveals flexible technological pathways shaped by raw material sourcing and quality. By combining the chaîne opératoire approach with systematic refitting, researchers reconstructed entire reduction sequences, tracing the biographies of cores and tools. The study highlights that imported high-quality materials were prioritized over exhausted local resources, a pattern consistent with other Paleolithic contexts. Regional comparisons further distinguish site-specific behaviors from broader Aurignacian adaptations in Central Europe, offering new insights into early modern human technological innovation during this pivotal period.
Strata
The Swabian Jura's cave system, explored through the artistic lens of VestAndPage's film project 'STRATA,' reveals profound connections between human history and geological time. The poem excerpted from the film's text illustrates how artistic research can capture deep-time narratives, blending memory, emotion, and sensory perception within a queer ecological framework. By immersing themselves in the caves, the authors demonstrate the potential for creative expression to convey complex scientific and cultural themes, offering a unique perspective on transcendental imagination and its intersection with environmental studies.
Technofunctional Analysis Reveals the Role of Carinated Artifacts and End-Scrapers in the Aurignacian of Vogelherd Cave
A technofunctional analysis of Aurignacian lithic assemblages from Vogelherd Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Swabian Jura, reveals that carinated artifacts functioned primarily as cores for bladelet production, while non-carinated end-scrapers served specific tool-related tasks. By combining functional analysis, refitting sequences, and morphological studies of 970 artifacts from two Aurignacian horizons, researchers demonstrated that traceological methods can overcome the ambiguities of typological classifications. This approach provides new insights into Paleolithic technological behaviors, suggesting potential differences in how early modern humans employed technology compared to Neanderthals during the Upper Paleolithic transition.
The Hohlenstein Therianthrope: Ivory, Imagination, and the Paleolithic Mind
The Hohlenstein Therianthrope, or Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel, is a 40,000-year-old ivory figurine that challenges conventional views on early human cognition. This extraordinary artifact, depicting a hybrid figure with human traits and the head and limbs of a cave lion, showcases sophisticated craftsmanship and symbolic thought. Through archaeological analysis, comparative studies, and cognitive archaeology, this research reveals the Therianthrope as a pivotal expression of Paleolithic humans' ability to conceptualize complex symbolic behavior, potentially linked to shamanistic practices or mythological narratives. The study provides new insights into the origins of human spirituality and artistic expression during the Upper Paleolithic period.
Middle Paleolithic Open-Air Sites of the Swabian Jura
Recent research has uncovered significant Middle Paleolithic open-air sites in the Swabian Jura, shifting focus from the region's renowned cave sites. The discovery of Börslingen-Eisenberg, located on a Jurassic chert outcrop, yielded approximately 300 artifacts, including Keilmesser and Levallois components, alongside some Upper Paleolithic pieces. This site provides evidence of local raw material use, also documented in nearby caves like Bockstein (Middle Paleolithic) and Vogelherd (Upper Paleolithic). Systematic surveys, initiated with the Aurignacian open-air site of Königsbach-Stein near Pforzheim, have expanded our understanding of Paleolithic settlement patterns beyond cave contexts. The study highlights the importance of open-air sites in reconstructing Middle Paleolithic cultural landscapes in this region.
Mobility and the Importance of Bone and Bulb Retouchers in the Middle Palaeolithic of the Swabian Jura
A study of retouchers from Sirgenstein Cave in the Swabian Jura reveals that bone and bulb retouchers served complementary roles in Middle Palaeolithic toolkits, with their suitability influenced by material properties and specific chaînes opératoires. The findings suggest these tools played a significant role in reconstructing past mobility and settlement dynamics, challenging assumptions about their use-lives and curated status.
The Fauna from the Middle Paleolithic: Settlement, Dietary Patterns and Technology in the Swabian Jura
Neanderthals in the Swabian Jura, Germany, exhibited variable settlement patterns and dietary strategies during the Middle Paleolithic (MP), as revealed by faunal remains from caves like Bockstein. This site was the most frequently visited, with horse dominating their diet alongside reindeer and bovids. While megafauna like mammoth and woolly rhinoceros were occasionally exploited, their role in MP subsistence remains debated, contrasting with higher-frequency exploitation during later periods such as the Aurignacian. Burned bone remains indicate spatial overlap between Neanderthals, carnivores, and cave bears. The study also highlights retouchers—a common osseous tool—as a key technological feature of this era. These findings, derived from 150 years of research, enrich our understanding of Neanderthal adaptations in Central Europe by comparing data from the Swabian Jura with the Rhine region.
Foxes in Retrospect—Unraveling Human-Fox Relationships through Fox Tooth Ornaments in the Swabian Jura
A comprehensive analysis of 40 perforated fox teeth from four cave sites in the Swabian Jura reveals significant insights into human-fox relationships during the Upper Paleolithic. The study, combining geometric morphometrics, traceology, and experimental archaeology, demonstrates that fox teeth were primarily perforated using bifacial scraping and grooving techniques, indicating their use as personal ornaments. This research highlights the role of foxes in human socio-symbolic systems and paleoenvironmental contexts, providing a broader understanding of their significance across Europe during this period.
Heat Treatment of Chert in the Early Mesolithic at Rottenburg-Siebenlinden (Southwest Germany)
Archaeological research at the open-air site Rottenburg-Siebenlinden in Southwest Germany reveals that heat treatment of chert—a technique previously documented only in cave sites—was more widespread among Early Mesolithic hunter-gatherers than believed. By analyzing lithic assemblages from horizon III using gloss contrast criteria and surface roughness measurements, scientists identified evidence of heat treatment applied to a broader range of raw materials during blank production. This finding challenges prior assumptions about material flexibility and technological practices in Central European prehistory, suggesting that heat treatment was a regular and adaptable practice among these early societies.
Improved discrimination of biogenic and diagenetic elements in Palaeolithic mammoth ivory and bone from Hohle Fels Cave in the Swabian Jura of Southwestern Germany
A new element-analytical study of Palaeolithic mammoth ivory and bone from Hohle Fels Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Swabian Jura, reveals no significant differences in diagenetic alterations between ivory and bone materials. The research used ion beam analysis (PIXE/PIGE) and micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mappings to identify site-specific markers (Zn, Br, Sr) and diagenetic indicators (F). Findings confirm previous observations while providing additional criteria for distinguishing endogenous from exogenous elements in archaeological ivory, aiding conservation efforts. The study enhances understanding of how environmental interactions affect ancient artefacts, with implications for preserving similar objects worldwide.
STRATA: The Research Process in the Making of a Performance-Based Film
A performance-based film, STRATA, contributes new knowledge about Ice Age human history by integrating interdisciplinary research and artistic practice. The project, led by artist duo Verena Stenke and Andrea Pagnes (VestAndPage), explores deep time and layers of memory through site-specific performances in the Swabian Jura caves, Germany, where humans sheltered 40,000 years ago. By treating the human body as interconnected with its geological environment, STRATA employs ecological thinking and phenomenology to develop a corporeal epistemology that fosters a holistic perspective on human history. The research traces continuities between artistic practices—such as performance, filmmaking, sound, and light design—and academic methodologies in film studies, highlighting the evolution of interdisciplinary collaboration and heuristic processes.
Archaeological interpretation
A new analysis of fox remains from the Swabian Jura reveals distinct dietary niches among Middle Paleolithic foxes, with high δ15N values indicating a commensal relationship with large predators—likely wolves—in the Lone Valley, while low δ15N values suggest rodent hunting in both the Lone and Ach valleys. This differentiation suggests seasonal resource partitioning, as Neanderthal occupation of caves was sparse and likely limited to winter and spring. Despite the low population density of Neanderthals and minimal evidence of fox exploitation (only one cut-marked bone), foxes were opportunistic predators, aligning with their typical dietary behavior. The study contrasts prey preferences between valleys—horses in the Lone Valley and reindeer in the Ach Valley—while highlighting the limited use of small game by Neanderthals during this period.
Burning, dumping, and site use during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic at Hohle Fels Cave, SW Germany
A long-standing assumption about Neanderthals' use of Hohle Fels Cave during the Middle Palaeolithic has been challenged by new evidence. Analysis of anthropogenic deposits, employing micromorphology and fabric analysis, reveals that Neanderthals intentionally dumped burnt material from domestic hearths in specific locations within the cave, indicating a high degree of spatial patterning and site maintenance. This intentionality contradicts earlier hypotheses suggesting less intense occupation during this period. The study also provides insights into regional variability in pyrotechnology and site use dynamics between the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic periods.
The Cultural and Chronostratigraphic Context of a New Leaf Point from Hohle Fels Cave in the Ach Valley of Southwestern Germany
A new leaf point, a rare and distinctive tool, was discovered in situ at Hohle Fels Cave in the Swabian Jura, Germany, challenging traditional views on its cultural significance. This find, dating back approximately 42,000 years, predates the Aurignacian deposits by millennia and suggests that leaf points were part of Neanderthal technological repertoires during the Late Pleistocene, rather than solely a marker for the end of the Middle Paleolithic. The study employed stratigraphic analysis and radiocarbon dating to contextualize the artifact within archaeological horizon X, providing insights into the cultural and chronological landscape of the region.
Using Formation Processes to Explore Low-Density Sites and Settlement Patterns: A Case Study from the Swabian Jura
A novel study challenges traditional assumptions about Paleolithic settlement patterns by focusing on low-density occupation sites, revealing that such locations were used for short-term human activities and were significantly influenced by carnivore behavior. Researchers employed a geoarchaeological approach, including micromorphology, to analyze two understudied sites in the Swabian Jura, Germany—Schafstall II and Fetzershaldenhöhle—and compared their formation processes with those of a more intensively occupied site, Lindenhöhle. The findings indicate that these low-density sites, despite differences in chronology and context, share comparable formation histories, highlighting the role of fauna in sediment accumulation and providing new insights into regional geomorphological history. This work also supports broader climatic records and suggests methodological advancements for studying hunter-gatherer settlement patterns by integrating distributional and site-specific approaches.
A quantitative paleoclimatic reconstruction of the non-analogue environment of oxygen isotope stage 3: new data from small mammal records of southwestern Germany
A unique paleoclimatic environment characterized by arctic tundra, temperate deciduous woodland, and intermittent arid steppe existed in the Ach Valley of southwestern Germany during Oxygen Isotope Stage 3 (OIS 3), spanning ~60,000 to 35,000 years ago. This non-analogue landscape featured significantly colder conditions than today, with higher annual precipitation and pronounced seasonal temperature shifts. Researchers used small mammal records from two Paleolithic cave sites—Geißenklösterle and Hohle Fels—to apply the Bioclimatic Method, which combines linear discriminant functions analysis and transfer functions to quantify past climate variables. The findings align with broader European reconstructions, reinforcing the absence of climatic volatility as a primary factor in Neanderthal decline during this period.
Hohle Fels – A UNESCO Global Geopark Geosite within a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Protection and Cooperation
Hohle Fels Cave, a significant site in the Swabian Jura, offers unparalleled insights into Central European late Middle and early Upper Paleolithic culture. Dating between 42,000 and 35,000 years B.P., the cave contains over 90,000 lithic artifacts, faunal remains, and notable mobile art objects like flutes and beads. As part of UNESCO World Heritage 'Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura' since 2017, Hohle Fels also serves as a geosite within the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark. This dual status fosters collaborative management efforts, integrating cultural heritage with geological significance to develop shared protection programs and monitoring measures.
Interpreting gaps: A geoarchaeological point of view on the Gravettian record of Ach and Lone valleys (Swabian Jura, SW Germany)
A geoarchaeological study reveals that the apparent gap in Gravettian artifacts between the Ach and Lone valleys in the Swabian Jura, SW Germany, is likely due to differential cave erosion rather than human depopulation. Using ERT, EC-logging, and GPR data, researchers found that sediments and archaeological materials eroded from caves and were deposited above river incisions after 37-32 Kcal BP in both valleys. The study proposes that cave erosion was more intensive in the Lone Valley due to earlier phases of downcutting and hillside erosion. Radiocarbon dating gaps in both valleys, interpreted as evidence of cave erosion, support this hypothesis. Additionally, geochronological data from the Danube Valley suggest that terrace formation moved westward, potentially triggering regional landscape changes that led to differential erosion.
Crazy like a fox? How the study of archaeological fox remains can help to understand human behavior in the Late Pleistocene of the Swabian Jura (Germany)
Archaeological fox remains reveal that early modern humans in the Swabian Jura (Germany) hunted foxes using traps, likely baited with food leftovers, from around 42,000 years ago. This hunting activity led to a significant increase in fox abundance in the archaeological record during the Aurignacian period, unlike the Middle Palaeolithic layers where foxes entered caves naturally. Stable isotope analysis of fox bones further demonstrated that some Late Pleistocene foxes exhibited synanthropic behavior, adapting their diet to include human food resources, suggesting early human-fox interactions. The study establishes a correlation between fox abundance and human settlement intensity, indicating that foxes can serve as proxies for Palaeolithic occupation and environmental impact.
Possible or Not: Parietal in the Swabian Jura?
Despite the Swabian Jura's rich archaeological record, including Aurignacian ivory carvings and flutes, no Pleistocene parietal art has been documented there. While ochre traces on mobile artifacts suggest pigment use, their absence on cave walls raises questions about preservation or human activity. Geological processes like karstification may hinder paint longevity, and prolonged cave use could have destroyed any existing artwork, though remnants should persist if this were the case. A research gap persists due to the lack of systematic cave wall analysis. Current efforts leverage 3D cave recordings and advanced imaging techniques to systematically search for parietal art in known and potential new caves within the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site.
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