Cave bear hunting in Hohle Fels Cave in the Ach Valley of the Swabian Jura

Archaeological evidence from Hohle Fels Cave in the Swabian Jura reveals that cave bears were hunted by humans during the Gravettian period, approximately 30,000 years ago. A significant discovery includes a bear vertebra embedded with a flint projectile, indicating targeted hunting practices. Additionally, cut and impact marks on other cave bear bones provide detailed evidence of butchering processes, similar to those documented for other game species. The study also identifies thick layers of burned bone, suggesting that cave bears were utilized both as a food source and for fuel. These findings offer unprecedented insights into the subsistence strategies and technological capabilities of early human populations in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Münzel, S. C., & Conard, N. J. (2015). Cave bear hunting in Hohle Fels Cave in the Ach Valley of the Swabian Jura. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.2271.0249