29 October 2025 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.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



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

3500-year-old ceramic oven discovered in Turkey’s Tepecik Mound

24 August 2021

24 August 2021

A 3,500-year-old ceramic oven was unearthed in Tepecik Mound in the Çine district of Aydın, in western Turkey. Tepecik Höyük,...

Skeleton Of “Spanish Monk” in Palace of Cortés Turns Out To Be An Aztec Woman

26 January 2024

26 January 2024

Recent research at the Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca, Mexico, has revealed a grave historical error. For 50 years, it...

Two Durham Archaeology Students, One from Türkiye, Earn Prestigious Awards for Research on Ancient Lycia

26 July 2025

26 July 2025

In a remarkable achievement for Anatolian studies, two Durham University-affiliated archaeology students have received prestigious awards for their research on...

History, geography, and evolution are rewrites thanks to an incredible dinosaur trove discovered in Italy

2 December 2021

2 December 2021

A dinosaur trove in Italy rewrites the history, geography, and evolution of the ancient Mediterranean area. Italy is not exactly...

An unknown church with a special floor plan discovered in Erwitte, northwestern Germany

18 September 2023

18 September 2023

Archaeologists from the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL) have discovered the remains of a former church from the 10th century near...

Between Shamans, Gods and Spirits: A Journey into Bulgaria’s Mysterious Central Asian Origins

2 July 2025

2 July 2025

Long before modern borders were drawn, ancient spiritual traditions — led by shamans and rooted in communion with the unseen...

Mysterious Rods Found in 5,500-year-old Tomb identified to Be Earliest Drinking Straws

19 January 2022

19 January 2022

Russian archaeologists argue that the rods unearthed in an early bronze age tomb in the Caucasus are the oldest known...

The largest stone coffin grave found so far at the Yoshinogari Ruins -3.2 meters

30 May 2023

30 May 2023

A grave with a stone coffin around 2.3 meters long and dating to the latter part of the Yayoi Period...

A 1900-year-old stele was discovered in Turkey’s ancient city of Parion

5 August 2021

5 August 2021

A 1,900-year-old grave stele was found during excavations in Parion, an important ancient port city, near Kemer village in the...

Archaeologists Uncover Evidence of British Rule in Florida

29 March 2025

29 March 2025

A recent archaeological excavation in St. Augustine, Florida, has revealed a British redoubt dating back to 1781, offering valuable insight...

Kerkenes Excavations Reveal Possible Proto-Turkic Kurgans Dating Back 2,600 Years

22 October 2025

22 October 2025

Archaeological excavations at the ancient city of Kerkenes (Pteria) in central Anatolia have revealed burial features that may be linked...

Neolithic Age Adults and Children Buried Under Family Homes were not Relative

3 May 2021

3 May 2021

An international team of scientists found that Children and adults buried next to each other in one of the oldest...

One of the largest mass burial pits ever discovered in the UK has been unearthed next to Leicester Cathedral

21 November 2024

21 November 2024

While excavating the gardens of Leicester Cathedral for the future construction of a learning center, archaeologists uncovered one of the...

Well-Preserved Hittite “Bird Omen Text” Discovered at Kayalıpınar–Samuha, a Key Religious Hub of the Ancient Empire

24 July 2025

24 July 2025

Archaeologists working at the ancient Hittite settlement of Kayalıpınar, located in Türkiye’s Sivas province, have uncovered a remarkably well-preserved clay...

Ritual Sacrifice of Pregnant Woman: Ecuador may Reflect the Community’s Fear of Her Power

28 January 2025

28 January 2025

In a remarkable archaeological find in Ecuador, researchers have uncovered the rich burial of a pregnant woman and her fetus,...