14 November 2024 The Future is the Product of the Past

Excavations in Haldensleben, Germany Reveal A Lost Settlement

Excavations at Haldensleben in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt provide important information about a lost settlement.

Since May 2024, the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology (LDA) Saxony-Anhalt has been conducting archaeological investigations on the site of the Hermes Fulfilment GmbH shipping center in Haldensleben. The excavations are taking place in an area immediately east of an extraordinary castle complex from the High Middle Ages (from AD 1000 to 1300) that was excavated in 2010/11. As part of the renewed investigations, significant settlement findings from the Bronze and Iron Ages as well as the Middle Ages were archaeologically documented.

The earliest phase of settlement dates from the Bronze Age (circa 2200 BC to 750 BC), where the researchers found various settlement pits, ceramics, animal bones, and a well containing a fully intact vessel.

Undoubtedly, the most interesting discoveries of the excavation were the remains of looms from the 11th and 12th centuries and a large underground structure where remnants of looms and numerous weaving-related items, such as loom weights and spindle whorls, were found.

House of early medieval weavings, which was analyzed in six segments. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Bodo Hänler
House of early medieval weavings, which was analyzed in six segments. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Bodo Hänler

Prehistoric and early historical settlement

The excavation site is located on a flat sand/gravel terrace that juts out into the Ohre lowlands. Due to the extremely favorable location of the site on the river in terms of traffic and settlement topography, it is not surprising that it was already in use before the Middle Ages.

Numerous findings suggest intensive settlement during the Bronze Age (around 2200 BC to 750 BC). In addition to settlement pits, a well into which a completely preserved vessel had fallen was uncovered and numerous settlement finds such as ceramics and animal bones were recovered.

The most interesting find from this era is a bronze eyelet headpin from the Aunjetitz culture. Numerous settlement finds from the Iron Age (approximately from 750 BCE to the beginning of the Christian era) were also uncovered. A lime kiln is particularly noteworthy from this period.

Early medieval well in the south of the excavation area. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Torsten Herm
Early medieval well in the south of the excavation area. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Torsten Herm

The medieval settlement at the castle

Before the construction of the fortress found in the 2010-2011 excavations, which dates to the second half of the 11th century, the terrace along the Ohre River remained a significant occupation site during the early and high medieval periods, particularly in the 9th and 10th centuries. Excavations have uncovered twelve underground buildings and numerous posts of above-ground structures. This evidence suggests that the land was inhabited by a well-organized and active community long before the fortress was constructed.

 Remains of small ovens were uncovered in some of the sunken buildings from this older phase. To the north and northwest, the settlement was bordered by the Ohre, to the southwest and south by a wide ditch, which probably served primarily to drain groundwater.

In the 11th/12th century, the settlement, which was now connected to the already known, mighty castle complex in the southwest, expanded southwards over the ditch. A pointed ditch was dug to secure the castle settlement. However, no remains of the assumed associated fortification wall have survived. Some of the pit houses in the settlement are unusually large.

 Of particular importance is a larger pit house, in which traces of looms and numerous loom weights and spindle whorls provide evidence of textile production. This building appears to have been a textile production center, a characteristic feature of settlements around lordly fortresses in this era.

Firing channel of a high medieval stone storage oven, which was used to heat a residential building. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Anton Mutz
Firing channel of a high medieval stone storage oven, which was used to heat a residential building. Photo: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Anton Mutz

Some of the above-ground structures are notable for having sophisticated heating systems. The remains of complex stone ovens that, because of their design, enabled homes to be heated without emitting smoke were discovered by archaeologists. One building even featured a stone cellar, a unique element that suggests it may have served as a safe haven or as storage.

According to the finds, some of the houses were in use even after the destruction of the adjacent castle in 1167 until the end of the 13th century. This also applies to three very different wells or water extraction points in the southern part of the excavation area, which is characterized by strata water coming to the surface. A pentagonal wooden structure is unusual, in which a round wickerwork installation was located, separated by a stone packing. The inner construction probably served to purify water. Another well consisted of a wooden barrel used for secondary purposes.

Among the finds, in addition to characteristic spherical pots made of ceramic, iron knives, bronze fittings, an ornate bone comb, and bronze awls and needles deserve mention.

State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt (Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt)

Cover Image Credit: State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt- Bodo Hänler

Related Articles

Archaeologists Discovered Submerged Stoa Complex in Ancient Salamis, Greece

27 October 2023

27 October 2023

Archaeologists exploring the east coast of Salamis, the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf, discovered a large, long, and...

The history of Kültepe Mound in central Turkey goes back another 300 years

12 December 2021

12 December 2021

In Kültepe, where the first written documents of Anatolia were unearthed, the date based on 5 thousand years was updated...

Israeli researchers have found evidence of cooking fish 780,000 years ago at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov

14 November 2022

14 November 2022

Hominins living at Gesher Benot Ya’akov 780,000 years ago liked their fish to be well cooked, Israeli researchers revealed Monday,...

New Study Reveals That the First English Settlers in North America Ate Dogs to Survive

28 May 2024

28 May 2024

The first English settlers to arrive in North America ate indigenous dogs to survive an extreme period of starvation, according...

Hellenistic cremation tomb found in Istanbul’s Haydarpasa excavations

11 April 2022

11 April 2022

A brick tomb belonging to the Hellenistic period (330 BC – 30 BC) was found during the Haydarpaşa excavations, which...

Medieval double grave discovered with majestic objects inside the circular ditch

22 August 2022

22 August 2022

An early medieval double grave was discovered in Kirchheim am Neckar Friedrichstrasse, southern Germany, during excavations supervised by the State...

Archeologists find a 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey

16 September 2021

16 September 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey, which might be one of the world’s oldest. The impressive power...

Archaeologists say 12,000-year-old flutes discovered in northern Israel may have been used to lure falcons

9 June 2023

9 June 2023

New research reveals that about 12,000 years ago, in northern Israel, humans turned the bones of small birds into instruments...

The latest discovery at the villa Civita Giuliana, north of Pompeii, the remains of a slave room

7 November 2021

7 November 2021

Ella IDE Pompeii archaeologists announced Saturday the discovery of the remnants of a “slave room” in an exceedingly unusual find...

Experts to uncover the secret of the monumental and three-dimensional Urartian statue found on Garibin Tepe

2 November 2024

2 November 2024

In an area where rescue excavations were conducted last year, archaeologists discovered a basalt stone statue from the Urartian period...

Ushabti figurines on display at Izmir Archeology Museum

18 September 2021

18 September 2021

The 2,700-year-old “Ushabti” statuettes, discovered in archaeological digs in western Turkey and used in Egyptian burial ceremonies, are being shown...

Middle Ages living space uncovered at an altitude of 1,800 meters in eastern Turkey

20 December 2021

20 December 2021

A living space carved into a bedrock considered to belong to the Middle Ages was found at a point overlooking...

Restoration of Türkiye’s 2,000-year-old King’s Daughter Roman bath nears completion

1 August 2023

1 August 2023

The 2,000-year-old Roman bathhouse Basilica Therma or King’s Daughter in Türkiye’s central Yozgat province is nearing the final stages of...

16 New Ancient Rock Art Sites Discovered In Jalapão, Brazil

13 March 2024

13 March 2024

Archaeologists at Brazil’s National Institute of Historical and Artistic Heritage (Iphan) discovered 16 new archaeological sites while surveying a large...

‘Roman numerals’ discovered on Stone of Destiny ahead of King Charles III coronation

8 April 2023

8 April 2023

New research has revealed previously unrecorded markings that appear to be Roman numerals on the Stone of Destiny, considered one...

Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *