Germany's UNESCO World Heritage site: the oldest Ice Age artworks

This curvaceous lady, called the Venus of Hohle Fels, is the world's oldest depiction of a human. She is the most famous of the more than 50 figurines that remained hidden for 40,000 years in caves in the Swabian Alps. The six-centimeter mammoth ivory figurine is held at the Blaubeuren Museum of Prehistory.

Archaeologists uncovered the Venus figurine in this cave. Most of the finds in the Swabian Alps depict animals and date from the Aurignacian period. During this period Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sometimes lived next to each other and sought protection in caves.

During the Ice Age in Europe there were very few forested areas in the Swabian Alps. Mammoths and reindeer roamed the steppes. Today the region is covered with forests. Of the more than 2,000 known caves in the region, six of them have been given World Heritage status due to the discovery of impressive Ice Age art.

Three flutes found in Geißenklösterle cave have provided evidence that humans were making music as early as 40,000 years ago. Like the Venus figurine, the most beautiful ivory flute is in the Blaubeuren Museum of Prehistory. Geißenklösterle cave is fenced off and only opened on special occasions. The cave is not deep, and the spot where the flutes were found can be seen through the fence.

Sirgenstein Cave, which is 42 meters long, is mostly freely accessible. However, it is closed in the winter to protect its resident bats. Archaeologists discovered that prehistoric humans spent most of their time near the cave's entrance, where they built fires, worked and slept. More recently, around 500 years ago, local people believed that a one-eyed monster lived in the cave.

The three other caves nominated for World Heritage status are situated in the Lone Valley near Heidenheim: Vogelherd, Hohlenstein-Stadel and Bockstein. As in the Ach Valley, a protected zone has been set up. This means that no changes can be made to the caves without informing the regional office for the preservation of monuments.

The excavations in the caves in the Swabian Alps began in the 19th century. Archaeologists discovered the remains of hearths, weapons, tools and jewelry made from stone, antlers, ivory and bone. In 1861 about 10,000 bones belonging to cave bears were found in Hohlenstein.

One of the discoveries made during excavations in Hohlenstein-Stadel was this hybrid creature, which is half human and half lion. It's the largest ivory figurine found in the caves, measuring 31 cm (about 12 inches). Here it is shown from various angles. The figurine was reassembled from more than 300 fragments and almost completely restored. The Lion-man is held in the Ulm Museum.

Vogelherd was a perfect location for prehistoric humans, as it provided a 180° view over the valley. The cave dwellers could spot danger or game animals from afar. Among the finds in this cave were more than ten small mammoth ivory animal figurines. The archaeological theme park around the cave provides information and has two of the finds on display, a lion and a mammoth.

The wild horse sculpture, which is just under five centimeters high, is considered Vogelherd Cave's masterpiece. Its elegantly curved neck and rounded contours reflect skilled craftsmanship. Together with other finds from the caves, it's on display in Tübingen University's Museum of Ancient Cultures in Hohentübingen Castle.

There are several accessible caves in the Bockstein complex. Neanderthal tools from over 60,000 years ago have been found here. In July 2017, the UNESCO Commission declared that Baden-Württemberg's "caves with the oldest Ice Age art" will be the state's sixth World Heritage Site.