Salzofen cave, Archaeological cave in Grundlsee, Austria.
Salzofen cave sits at about 2070 meters (6790 feet) elevation in the Totes Gebirge mountains and contains multiple chambers with natural rock formations. The cave is visible from the outside and clearly shows the force of nature in this wild mountain region.
The site was inhabited about 34000 years ago by Paleolithic people who left stone tools and hunted cave bears. Excavations revealed that humans were already living and surviving at this extreme elevation back then.
The name comes from salt deposits found in the surrounding area, and today it serves as a place where visitors can experience the harsh mountain environment and understand how early people lived at extreme elevations.
A visit is only possible during good weather in summer and requires sturdy footwear and mountain equipment. From designated viewpoints, visitors can observe the entrance, but should expect steep paths and rough terrain.
A notable discovery was a bone flute dating back 35000 years, showing that people were making music back then. This flute is among the oldest musical instruments ever found.
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