Petershöhle bei Hartenstein, Horizontal cave in Hartenstein, Germany.
Petershöhle near Hartenstein is a horizontal cave that extends roughly 70 meters underground with multiple chambers connected by short passages. The entrance measures approximately 8 by 5 meters and sits at an elevation of about 491 meters.
Humans and cave bears lived here roughly 90,000 years ago, as evidenced by stone tools and animal remains found in the cave. Systematic excavations between 1914 and 1928 uncovered important archaeological layers.
The cave served as shelter for humans and animals over thousands of years, leaving behind traces and markings that visitors can observe today. These remnants show how early inhabitants adapted to life in this underground space.
The cave is open year-round except from October through April to protect bats that hibernate there during winter months. Visitors should bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes since the interior remains cool and damp.
Researchers uncovered remains of at least 2,000 cave bears alongside traces of Neanderthal occupation, making this site a rare record of different species coexisting. Such extensive collections from a single cave are uncommon in Central Europe.
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