Geissenklösterle
Geißenklösterle | |
Upper Palaeolithic to Middle Ages | |
Cultures | Aurignacian |
---|---|
Site notes | |
Excavation dates | 1973, 1991, 2001 to 2002 |
Archaeologists | Eberhard Wagner, Joachim Hahn, Nicholas Conard |
Europe and North America |
Geissenklösterle (Geißenklösterle) is an archaeological site of significance for the central European Upper Paleolithic, located near the town of Blaubeuren in the Swabian Jura in Baden-Württemberg, southern Germany. First explored in 1963, the cave contains traces of early prehistoric art from between 43,000 and 30,000 years ago, including some of the oldest-known musical instruments and several animal figurines.[1] Because of the historical and cultural importance of these findings, in 2017 the site became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura.[2]
Overview
It is one of a number of caves where
The Aurignacian levels date to between 43,000 and 32,000 years ago, and have yielded stone tools, artefacts made from antlers, bones and ivory. Among the most notable items are two
In addition to the flutes, many carved figurines were uncovered in Geissenklösterle. Many of these figurines depict typical Ice Age animals, including mammoths, bison, and cave lions.[1] They are generally very small, measuring between 2.5 and 10 cm. An ivory relief of a human was also uncovered. Called the Adorant of Geißenklösterle, it depicts a figure with raised arms and rows of small notches on the reverse. Although the significance of these figurines is still unknown, they may have been effigies of a primitive religion.[1]
Modern History
Geissenklösterle was first archaeologically explored in 1963. Systematic excavations began in 1973, from 1974 to 2002 sponsored by the State of Baden-Württemberg. A 1983 monographic publication summarizes the excavation results up to that time. However, only a small amount of the cave has been excavated.[1]
UNESCO World Heritage Site
In January 2016, the federal government of Germany applied for the status of
In the argument why these sites deserve recognition as a part of the universal human heritage, the area is described as the source of the currently oldest known (non-stationary) works of human art in the form of carved animal and humanoid figurines as well as the oldest surviving musical instruments. Their creators lived, were inspired and worked in and around these caves. The caves also served as the repositories of the figurines which may have been used in a religious context. In addition, they were the venue where performers used the excavated musical instruments and where the social groups lived from which the artists sprang.[6][5]
The committee awarded the status of WHS in July 2017.[7][8]
Gallery
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Bone flute from Geißenklösterle. Aurignacian culture
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Aurignacian culture
See also
Literature
- Nicolas Conard, Maria Malina: Abschließende Ausgrabungen im Geißenklösterle bei Blaubeuren, Alb-Donau-Kreis. in: Archäologische Ausgrabungen Baden-Württemberg, Theiss, Stuttgart 2001, p. 17-21. ISSN 0724-8954
- J. Hahn: Die Geißenklösterle-Höhle im Achtal bei Blaubeuren. in: Forschungen und Berichte zur Vor- und Frühgeschichte in Baden-Württemberg, Theiss, Stuttgart, 21, 1988,262. ISSN 0724-4347
References
- ^ a b c d e Kind, Claus-Joachim; Meister, Conny; Heidenreich, Stephan M. (2016). Caves with the Oldest Ice Age Art -- World Heritage Nomination (Report). Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ "Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. UNESCO. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- PMID 22575323.
- ^ "Earliest musical instrument discovered". International Business Times. May 25, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ a b Meister, Conny; Heidenreich, Stephan (December 2016). "Zwei Täler, sechs Höhlen, ein Antrag". Archäologie in Deutschland (in German). WBG. pp. 32–3.
- ^ "Caves with the oldest Ice Age art". UNESCO. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Welterbeanträge in Vorbereitung (German)". Baden-Württemberg Denkmalpflege. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura". UNESCO. Retrieved 12 July 2017.