Liščí díra

Liščí díra is a small cave in the southern part of the Moravian Karst, within the municipality of Ochoz u Brna, roughly 11 km northeast of Brno. It may not match the scale of the nearby show caves, but its scientific weight is disproportionately large — it is one of the key archaeological sites documenting human presence in the region across millennia.

Where is Liščí díra located?

The cave lies right next to the well-known Ochozská jeskyně (Ochoz Cave), in the area associated with the Hádecká Říčka valley and the underground Hostěnický stream, within the Moravian Karst (Moravský kras) — one of the largest and most densely cave-riddled karst areas in Central Europe, home to more than a thousand known caves and rock shelters. For the small municipality of Ochoz u Brna, its caves are among the main reasons visitors and researchers come here at all.

What has been found inside the cave?

The first systematic archaeological research at Liščí díra was carried out by Czech archaeologist B. Klíma in 1959–1960. His work documented traces of human presence spanning from the Old Stone Age all the way to the Middle Ages — a rare continuity of occupation for such a modest cave.

Particularly significant were finds linked to the Magdalenian culture, hunter-gatherers who lived at the end of the last Ice Age and whose traces have been recorded in dozens of caves across the Moravian Karst. Researchers also point to the possibility of an earlier occupation episode dating to the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic — the period when modern humans were gradually replacing Neanderthals across Central Europe. Supporting this hypothesis are stone tools found in the cave made from lower-quality local raw material, suggesting a separate, older settlement phase distinct from the later Magdalenian layers.

Why did research resume after decades?

After roughly 75 years since Klíma's original excavations, work at Liščí díra was picked up again by the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Brno branch). The current research is part of an international scientific project focused on the last Neanderthals, centered on the period between 60,000 and 40,000 years ago. The team is applying modern methods — sediment DNA analysis, isotopic dating, and paleontological study — to determine who exactly inhabited the cave in each period, reconstruct the chronology of successive settlement waves, and establish what environmental conditions prevailed in the region at the time.

Can you visit Liščí díra?

Liščí díra is first and foremost an active archaeological site rather than a show cave open for self-guided visits — unlike the neighboring Ochozská jeskyně, which stretches 1,750 meters, has the underground Hostěnický stream running through roughly a kilometer of its passages, and occasionally opens its interior to the public during open-house days. When visiting Ochoz u Brna, it makes sense to treat Liščí díra as a scientific point of interest that adds context to the trip, while saving any actual cave exploration for the show caves in the same karst range that are equipped for visitors.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Liščí díra from Brno? About 11 km to the northeast, within the municipality of Ochoz u Brna in the Moravian Karst.

Can the cave be visited? No — it is not developed for tourism; it remains an active research site. The nearby Ochozská jeskyně is the accessible option in the area.

What traces of human settlement were found there? Evidence of human presence from the Old Stone Age to the Middle Ages, including clear Magdalenian-culture remains and indications of an earlier occupation from the transition period between Neanderthals and modern humans.

Who is researching Liščí díra today? The Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Brno), as part of an international project studying the period 60,000–40,000 years ago, using sediment DNA analysis, isotopic dating, and paleontological research.