The unique geological history in the Central Rhein region is primarily due to its volcanic history. Today's environmental conservation conditions stem from a multitude of nationally significant findings dating back to the Ice Ages. Research work in the area of Paleolithic time has been carried out by the Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums in the Central Rhein. For the past million years, according to this research, the climatic changes during the Ice Age has had significant effects at our latitudes. Moreover, the environmental circumstances during the oldest settlement of the Rheinland area are now understood.

The archeology of the Ice Age is interdisplinary work: It ties together the various subject areas of science with the following question: How did people deal with the natural and natural spatial changes that occurred during the Ice Ages? In recent history, climate research together with increased environmental awareness have experienced a revival. It is clear that, through a knowledge of earlier climate conditions, our current climate can be explained. We see more and more which complex mechanisms of climatic events influence the earth and how these processes interact.

In the present project we have attempted, with the help of complex computer animation processes, to demonstrate seasonal climatic fluctuations. Such fluctuations are difficult to show through strictly textual explanations and static images. In particular, such processes include cyclic changes of the Earth-Sun constellation, the precession of the Earth's axis, cyclic fluctuation of the eccentricity of the Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun as well as continental drift (a phenomenon which can result in one particular place on a continent traveling through different climate zones).

Closely related to the theme of climate fluctuation are the various dating methods (Paleomagnetism, K/Ar, Ar/Ar techniques, Radiocarbon dating, Dendochronology and Varve Chronology in connection with global water circulation), which should also be explained with the help of multimedia elements.

This project should show that computer-aided learning through the use of Multimedia elements offers significant advantages. The project findings should, in the context of modernizing museum space for the Archeology of the Ice Age in Schloss Monrepos at Neuwied, integrate the new concepts and be openly shown to the public.

Project Involvement:
Prof. Dr. -Ing. Wolfgang Böhler
M.Eng. Mirko Siebold
(i3mainz)
(Prinz-Maximilian zu Wied-Stiftung, Neuwied)
(Museum for the Archeology of the Ice Ages, Research Area of Paleolithic time of the Römisch-Germanischen Zentralmuseums, Schloss Monrepos bei Neuwied)