At the foot of a dolomite rock group on the western slope of the Vilstal, approx. 15 m above the Vils, three main periods of settlement were identified during excavations in 1930:
Late Paleolithic (Magdalenian) about 12,000 years ago
Main usage period Middle Stone Age (Tardenoisien), approx. 7,000 - 5,000 BC. Chr.
Hallstatt period (750 - 500 BC)
The square was not continuously populated, because the hunters and collectors of the Old and Middle Stone Age changed their location regularly, so they were not yet settled. Here they found a protruding rock face that offered protection. There was probably a hut in front of the rock roof, for example made of poles and wattle. There are two hearths, the "winter stove" close to the wall, probably inside the hut, and the "summer stove" further outside.
Extensive forest areas replaced the tundra and steppe vegetation. The new huntable animals (deer, roe deer, elk, aurochs, wild boar) moved around in smaller groups, not in large herds. Fishing also made a significant contribution to the menu. A new hunting technique for single hunting with specialized, accurate weapons was required: bow and arrow, throwing spears, spearguns with small, carefully sharpened tips.
This is reflected in the finds from this period: characteristic of the Middle Stone Age are very small, often triangular hornstone (Silex) devices that served as inserts for the tips of the arrows, spears and spearguns. Bone tools (awls, needles) were also found here.
In addition to the large game species and fish mentioned above, various types of bird as well as fox, badger, marten, mole, bat etc. Ä. But up to 40% of the food was collected: berries, nuts and bird eggs.