Description : Dolní Věstonice (German: Unterwisternitz) is a small village in the South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic. It is known for a series of ice age archaeological sites in the area, including the oldest permanent human settlement ever found by archaeologists in the entire world. These sites were used by mammoth hunters, and finds include a triple burial and the Venus of Dolní Věstonice. Although prehistoric artifacts have been found in the area for some time, formal archaeological research started in 1924. The village became a target for tourists interested in archeology, wine, architecture or traditional costumes. During the Great Moravia period, which lasted between the 9th and 10th centuries, a small fortress was built here. The first known mention of the place in written documents is from 1312. During the 13th century the place became inhabited by German colonists. In 1460 it received city rights. From the beginning of the 16th century Habaners (Habáni, members of anabaptist sects expelled from German lands and Switzerland) settled here. They were expelled again in 1622.
See on map »