Caves of the Ice Age become 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany

THE UNESCO World Heritage Committee has included a new site to its list: the caves of the Ice Age in the Swabian Jura in Baden-Württemberg. More than 50 artifacts mostly made of bone and ivory, were discovered in six caves in the Ach- and Lonetal. These archaeological sites and prehistoric works of art from the Ice Age allow researchers to draw conclusions about the earliest traces of human settlement. 

Visitors to #Germany will experience the works of the Ice Age in various historical #museums in Baden-Württemberg. The Prehistoric Museum Blaubeuren is a central museum for the Paleolithic period of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It displays, among other original finds, the "Venus vom Hohlenfels" and three flutes of the Ice Age. At various locations, visitors can not only marvel at the objects, but also try working with stone tools. 

The museum of the University Tübingen displays a 40,000-year-old figure of a horse made of mammoth ivory, called “Vogelherdpferd“, and a cave named “Vogelherdhöhle“ is part of the archaeological park Niederstotzingen. Other artifacts from the era of hunters and gatherers are on display in the permanent Stone Age exhibition of the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart.

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Picture Credit: whc.unesco.org

Slovenia: Postojna Cave

POSTOJNA Cave is known for its unique forms of stalactites and stalagmites and is one of the most diverse cave systems in the world. It is the most visited attraction in #Slovenia, wowing visitors with the beauty and magnificence of its underground halls and the extent of its tunnels for two centuries.

In August 2016, Postojna Cave delighted the world with the information that its divers had discovered new underground tunnels, which extended the cave system by 3.5 kilometres. 

The Cave is once again updating the map of the 24,120-metre-long cave system and marking the missing parts on the map of the subterranean course of the River Pivka. After each new discovery, the scientists and the general public can easily understand the magic of the karst underworld and the achievements of the cavers. Due to their efforts the Postojna Cave system is even longer, following the waterways that are otherwise known only to the cave-dwelling olms.

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Al Hoota Cave

OMAN'S most popular natural tourist destination, Al Hoota Cave, has reopened following the implementation of broad enhancements to the visitor experience at the attraction. 

The cave, located in the wilayat of Al Hamra, is believed to be over 2 million years old located in a mountain in the vicinity of the Tanuf Valley in Al Hamra district at the foothills of Central Al Hajar mountains The cave offers a fascinating insight into what lies beneath Oman's plateaus and peaks.

The cave features an electrical train that starts from the visitor centre reaching the mouth of the tunnel arriving to the cave's main entrance. Another feature of this amazing cave is the subterranean lake system which is home to unusual species of aquatic, pink-coloured blind fish which sense their way around the lake with feelers.

The enhanced Al Hoota experience will enable people to get the most from their visits and the ability to plan a visit online means people can book the elements of the visit they want, creating a bespoke experience. Opening times are Saturday-Thursday (Except Monday) from 9am-6pm and on Fridays from 9am-12pm and 2pm-5pm.

alhootacave.com

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Picture Credit: By No machine-readable author provided. Nabieh~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1528942

Explore . . . China

REED flute cave in Guilin, Guangxi, #China officially opened in 1962 and is one of the cities top tourist attractions. The cave got its name form a type of reed found growing outside which can be used to produce flutes.

The cave is filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations now illuminated by coloured lights. 

The cave is 240m long and filled with ink inscriptions some of which date back to 792AD.

Found five kilometers northwest of the downtown of Guilin the cave is open all year round.

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Picture Credit: 48024138@N00/2856969354 Reed Flute Cave (蘆笛岩) via photopin.com

Two year waiting list for Vietnam's Son Doong Cave

ONE of the recently discovered wonders of the natural world, but there’s little likelihood of it being wrecked by mass tourism. Access to Vietnam’s Son Doong Cave – believed to be the planet’s largest cave – is possible, but be very aware that tourists need to be fit and intrepid enough to take on a day-and-a-half through dense jungle and a 260ft abseil down to its entrance.

The #SonDoong (which translates as Mountain River Cave) was discovered by a local man in 1990, and was fully explored by British cavers in 2009 with the first organised tour taking place in 2013. Since then interest has grown significantly and there is now a 2 year wait as only 500 people a year are permitted to travel there to protect the fragile eco-system inside the cave.

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Picture Credit: By Doug Knuth from Woodstock, IL - Son Doong-72, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39118149

Cavemen tales told in new Cheddar Gorge attraction

A £400,000 investment at #CheddarGorge and Caves in #Somerset has seen the opening of a new attraction exploring the experience of early cave dwellers. 

Dreamhunters – The Adventures of Early Man at Cox’s Cave takes visitors on a journey from pre-history to the present day. It is the first new attraction at Cheddar Gorge in almost a quarter of a century and tells the story of how our ancestors made tools and weapons.

Discovered in 1837, Cox’s Cave comprises several small grottoes and chambers, linked by low archways. The natural setting – with the help of modern projectors, sound systems, and lighting – provides the backdrop for the new self-guided trail.

Access to Dreamhunters is included in the general admission price of a visit to Cheddar Gorge and Caves, which includes Cox’s Cave, Gough’s Cave, the Museum of Prehistory, the Lookout Tower, Cliff-top Gorge Walk, and the Gorge Open-top bus.

Group rates apply to parties of 12 or more paying visitors, and can be purchased in advance.

Cheddar has the UK’s largest gorge and the site is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

cheddargorge.co.uk

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Make-over for Cox’s Cave

ONE of the most historic underground spaces in England is being transformed before being re-opened to the public at Easter. 

Cox's Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset – discovered in 1837 – is getting a make-over with the aim of re-establishing it as a must-see attraction.

It comprises seven small grottoes joined by low archways, offering a natural, atmospheric setting of calcite sculptures and mirror pools.

Access to the cave will continue to be included in the general admission price of a visit to Cheddar Gorge. 

The make-over is part of a £400,000 investment plan at Cheddar Gorge and Caves for 2016.

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Zip along in Wales

NEW in North Wales is Zip World, which claims to have the planet’s largest fully- underground zip line course and its biggest subterranean adventure playground.

In Blaenau Ffestiniog, Snowdonia, Zip World has a slate cavern – big enough to house 75 double-decker buses – in which visitors can take a journey through historic mine chambers.

Zip World Caverns takes daring adventurers on a number of thrilling zip lines interspersed with rope bridges, balance beams, tunnels, and stretches of via ferrata – an Italian term literally translated as 'iron road' designed to assist soldiers crossing mountain passes.

Zip World Titan (left) gives visitors the chance to fly over five miles of wire in teams of four, reaching up to 70mph through some of Britain’s most dramatic scenery.

Check Zip World’s website – www.zipworld.co.uk – for weight, height, and age limits.




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Picture Credit: www.zipworld.co.uk