Gammel Knas

Gammel Knas: An Ancient Limestone Cave

Gammel Knas is one of the most important Middle Palaeolithic sites in northern Europe. Excavations at the site have yielded a rich assemblage of stone tools, animal bones, and other artifacts that provide valuable insights into the lives of Neanderthals who lived in the region during the last glacial period. The site is also home to a number of well-preserved cave paintings, which are among the oldest examples of prehistoric art in the world.

History of Gammel Knas

The Gammel Knas cave is located in central Jutland, Denmark. It was first discovered in 1910 by a group of local farmers who were digging a drainage ditch. The farmers quickly realized that they had stumbled upon something significant, and they contacted the local museum. Excavations began at the site in 1911, and they have continued intermittently ever since. The excavations at Gammel Knas have revealed a long and complex history of human occupation. The earliest evidence of human activity at the site dates back to the Middle Palaeolithic period, around 50,000 years ago. During this period, Neanderthals lived in the cave and used it as a base for hunting and gathering. They left behind a rich assemblage of stone tools, animal bones, and other artifacts. In addition to the Middle Palaeolithic remains, the Gammel Knas cave also contains evidence of human occupation from the Upper Palaeolithic and Mesolithic periods. During the Upper Palaeolithic period, around 15,000 years ago, the cave was inhabited by Homo sapiens. These people left behind a number of stone tools and other artifacts, as well as a number of cave paintings. The cave paintings at Gammel Knas are some of the oldest examples of prehistoric art in the world, and they provide valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the people who created them. During the Mesolithic period, around 10,000 years ago, the Gammel Knas cave was used as a seasonal hunting camp by nomadic hunter-gatherers. These people left behind a number of stone tools and other artifacts, as well as evidence of their hunting activities.

The Significance of Gammel Knas

The Gammel Knas cave is one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Europe. The site has yielded a wealth of information about the lives of Neanderthals and other prehistoric people who lived in the region. The cave paintings at Gammel Knas are also of great significance, as they are among the oldest examples of prehistoric art in the world. The Gammel Knas cave is now a protected national monument. The site is open to the public, and it is a popular destination for tourists and archaeologists alike.