Dirty Science

The caves of the Swabian Alb have always been used as refuges by people and animals alike, providing shelter, places of worship and habitats. They hold a special fascination to this day. But what traces of this millennia-long use are still visible today?

The exhibition “Dirty Science” focuses precisely on these hidden traces. Researchers at the Leibniz Science Campus Geogenomic Archaeology Campus Tübingen (GACT) demonstrate how cave sediments become unique archives of the past. Hidden within the seemingly unremarkable 'dirt' is a wealth of surprising information: microscopic bone fragments, pollen and chemical signatures, as well as ancient DNA.

State-of-the-art scientific methods make it possible to reconstruct who used a cave, when it was visited and how the environment and climate have changed over tens of thousands of years. At the same time, the sensitivity of the cave ecosystem becomes apparent, as does the significant influence of human activities on it.

Taking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hohle Fels near Schelklingen as an example, the exhibition vividly illustrates how traces of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms have accumulated in the sediment since the Paleolithic era. Alongside spectacular artefacts and figurines, it is often the inconspicuous remains, such as decomposed cave hyena remains, that provide new insights into past habitats through their DNA.

'Dirty Science' combines cutting-edge research with vivid insights into excavation and laboratory work. Interactive stations and a specially designed cave for children encourage visitors to search for clues themselves and discover the science behind the 'dirt'.

Thursday, April 16th, 2026, at 7 p.m.

Castle Church | Hohentübingen Castle
Burgsteige 11 | 72070 Tübingen