Caves and Ice Age Art Are World Heritage
Caves and Ice Age Art Are World Heritage Six caves in the Swabian Alb and the Ice Age art found in the caves have been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO: In Krakow, the responsible committee decided to include the sites Vogelherd, Bockstein, Hohlenstein-Stadel, Sirgenstein, Geißenklösterle and Hohle Fels in the world heritage list.
Since the beginning of the 20th century scientists of the University of Tübingen have secured and researched the oldest evidence of figurative art, music and religious beliefs of humans in the caves in the Ach- and Lonetal. The animal figures and jewellery made out of mammoth ivory and bones, figurines such as the Venus from the Hohle Fels, and bone flutes were produced during the last Ice Age around 40 000 years ago. They are considered a unique testimony of the history of the human race.
The largest collection of original finds from the Ice Age caves is presented at the Museum of Ancient Cultures in Hohentübingen Castle, including numerous animal figures made out of mammoth ivory from the Vogelherd cave and the recently recovered fragment of a flute made out of griffon bone.
Press Releases
Ärger um Vermarktung von Fundstücken aus Eiszeithöhlen
Südwestpresse, 31.08.2018 [Link]
Kein Weltkulturerbe? - UNESCO-Siegel-Problematik am Museum der Universität
RTF1, 13.08.18 [Link]
Mehr Besucher durch Unesco-Siegel
SWR, 9.7.2018
Löwe, Bär oder Eiszeit-Schaf?
Schwäbisches Tagblatt, 17.7.2017, [PDF]
Ein Tübinger Louvre?
Schwäbisches Tagblatt, 13.7.2017, [PDF]
Höhlen der Eiszeitkunst sind Weltkulturerbe
RTF1, 11.07.2017 [Video]
Schwäbische Höhlen sind Weltkulturerbe
Friedemann Schrenk im Deutschlandfunk Kultur, 10.7.2017 [Link]
Eiszeitkunst-Höhlen sind Weltkulturerbe
Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung, 9.7.2017 [Link]
Eiszeit-Höhlen bei Ulm sind Weltkulturerbe
Spiegel Online, 9.7.2017 [Link]
Schwäbische Eiszeithöhlen werden Welterbe
Zeit Online, 9.7.2017 [Link]
Tübinger Universität freut sich mit
Schwäbisches Tagblatt, 7.10.2017 [PDF]
Die UNESCO sollte mal ins Unimuseum gehen
Schwäbisches Tagblatt, 7.7.2017 [PDF]
Press-Info
The press release on the caves and on the Ice Age art as well as the infographic of the caves can be found under the following link. Please contact us for the use of high-resolution photos (see below).
Media
3D-Modells of the Ice Age Figures
Offers
Course
Stone Age Workshop
The “Stone Age Workshop” by Marek Thomanek offers children, adolescents, or also adult groups great activities.
Guided tour
On the ICE AGE Search for the Ghost of the Castle
Small speleologists help the ghost Kuno in the search for traces through the history of mankind.

Guided Tour
With the Ice Age Figures at Night
What happens in the museum when the light goes off? Will the Ice Age figures come alive or can you hear the music of the flute made out of bird bone?

Guided Tour
Trip to the Ice Age
On a round trip through our prehistoric department you will be confronted with the oldest figurative artwork of the world and many other fascinating finds from the Ice Age.
Visit the Ancient Cultures Museum
Opening Hours
Wed to Sun 10am to 5pm
Thurs 10am to 7pm
Admission
Adults: 5€
Reduced: 3€ (children, pupils, students, pensioners, severely disabled people)
Family ticket: 12€
Students of Tübingen: Free of charge
Contact
Phone: +49 (0) 7071-29-77384
Send email
Adress
Museum Ancient Cultures
Burgsteige 11
72070 Tübingen