Markhöhle

Markhöhle, or Mark Cave, is a limestone cave system located near the town of Lichtenstein in the Swabian Jura region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The cave is part of a larger karst landscape and was formed over thousands of years by the dissolving action of water on the soluble rock. It is notable for its archaeological significance, being one of the key sites associated with Neolithic human activity in the area.

Excavations have revealed that the cave was used extensively during the late Neolithic period, approximately 3000 BCE. Archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of artifacts within its chambers, including pottery shards, stone tools, and animal bones. These findings provide crucial insights into the daily life, subsistence strategies, and cultural practices of the people who inhabited or utilized the cave. The presence of distinct ceramic styles has helped scholars link the site to specific archaeological cultures of the time.

Unlike some other local caves famous for Paleolithic art, such as those containing Ice Age figurines, Markhöhle's primary importance lies in its domestic and utilitarian use. The evidence suggests it served more as a shelter or a temporary campsite rather than a ceremonial space. The cave's conditions have helped preserve these organic and inorganic materials, making it a valuable resource for understanding the transition to settled farming communities in Central Europe.

Today, the cave is recognized as a protected cultural monument. While not typically open for public tours to ensure its preservation, it remains an active site for scientific study. Research at Markhöhle continues to contribute to the broader narrative of human prehistory in southern Germany.