Badlhöhle

The Badlhöhle is a protected cave in the Steiermark region, situated on the northern side of the Tanneben at 495 metres above sea level near Peggau. It can be reached through the Badlgraben from Badl an der Mur. The cave stretches for about 500 metres and is divided into several levels, with a second entrance located 52 metres above the main one. It was once known to locals but was rediscovered in 1827 after centuries of obscurity. The cave has suffered damage from unauthorised excavations and the removal of phosphate earth in 1918, which disturbed its archaeological layers. The cave gained importance in the 19th century when Ferdinand Freiherr von Thinnfeld and his brother-in-law, Wilhelm Ritter von Haidinger, conducted scientific excavations in 1837. They uncovered over 400 bones, including two polished bone needles, though these were not initially recognised as human artefacts. Later, Carl Ferdinand Peters identified them as worked bones in 1870, describing them as sewing needles. This discovery drew the attention of Gundaker Graf Wurmbrand-Stuppach, whose records remain the most reliable documentation from that period. Visitors to the Badlhöhle find a cave system with multiple levels and two entrances, though access is restricted to protect its fragile environment and the bats that live there. Nearby lies the Repolusthöhle, which holds the oldest known settlement traces in Austria. The surrounding area, along the middle Mur valley, is rich in archaeological sites, making it a significant location for prehistoric research. The cave’s history reflects both scientific curiosity and the challenges of preserving delicate archaeological evidence.