Szelim cave, Natural cave site on Kő-hegy mountain, Tatabánya, Hungary.
Szelim cave is a limestone formation on Kő-hegy mountain featuring a passage roughly 45 meters long and 14 meters high. Two entrance openings and a ceiling aperture allow light to illuminate the interior space.
Archaeological digs in 1932 uncovered evidence that Neanderthals lived in the cave roughly 70,000 years ago, leaving behind stone tools and animal bones. Human groups continued to use the site for thousands of years afterward.
People in the area connect this cave to old stories about seeking shelter during uncertain times, and these tales remain part of local memory. Walking through it today, you sense the connection to centuries of human life in the region.
You can reach the cave by following marked trails from Tatabánya or by parking at the Gerecse Kapuja visitor center for more direct access. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as the interior stays cool and some areas can be slippery.
Beneath the cave lies a stack of sediment layers deeper than 12 meters, recording a continuous story of human activity spanning 200,000 years. These layers act like a history book, showing how different peoples and cultures used the site over time.
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