Discovery at the royal tomb: Archaeologists reveal Bronze Age settlement!

Discovery at the royal tomb: Archaeologists reveal Bronze Age settlement!

The archaeological finds around the famous “royal grave” of Seddin in Brandenburg are a source of great amazement. A dense residential settlement from the late Bronze Age was recently discovered during excavations, shedding light on the scale and lifestyle of the residents at the time. The number of houses discovered is particularly impressive, underlining the size and importance of this settlement.

The currently uncovered remains of at least seven houses are located near the long-known “Hall of the King”. According to the Brandenburg State Office for Monument Preservation, this discovery is not only a surprise, but also opens up new perspectives on life in this era. The state archaeologist Franz Schopper described the find as a “true sea of ​​houses” and added that between 200 and 300 people lived here over a period of around 200 years, between 1000 and 800 BC.

Details about the settlement

The structures of the houses, some of which were seven meters wide and around 17 meters long, indicate social diversity. The overlays of the buildings and the ceramics found suggest that this settlement was used over several generations. Apparently carpenters, metal casters and farmers lived here, whose crafts and trading skills made them important in the regional community.

The excavations have also revealed that the region was an important communication and trade area between northern and southern Europe in the Late Bronze Age. The excavation manager Immo Heske from the Georg-August University of Göttingen, who has been working on site for a decade, emphasizes that the settlement had a high density and the archaeological remains offer fascinating insights into the way of life of the population at the time.

The “royal grave” itself was discovered in 1899 and is considered one of the most important grave complexes from the 9th century BC in northern central Europe. Legend has it that a King Hinz was buried there. The enormous size of the burial mound and the valuable furnishings of the grave made it an interesting field of research in the past.

The "Hall of the King", excavated last year and dated by experts to the 10th to 9th centuries BC, is the largest known hall of the Nordic Bronze Age. Because of its impressive dimensions, it is believed that it served as a ruler's seat, underlining the region's role in Bronze Age society.

Future research

The enthusiasm about the new finds gives archaeologists hope for further discoveries and insights into the history of the region. The State Office for Monument Preservation plans to continue the investigations into the “King's Tomb” and to acquire further third-party funding in order to intensify the research. The results of the excavations are to be presented at international conferences around the world, such as most recently at the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) conference in Rome.

In addition, the cultural tourism marketing of the finds is emphasized in order to increase visitor numbers and make the remote site more accessible. The “Royal Grave” will be part of the “Central Archaeological Sites” project in Brandenburg and will be specifically integrated into the “Prignitz Period Treasures” initiative. These measures are intended to help process the region's historical heritage and bring it closer to the public.

These developments further deepen the view of Seddin's Bronze Age society and keep interest in the roots of this impressive culture alive. The finds are not only historically significant, but also offer exciting perspectives on the lifestyles and trading networks of the time, which is of great interest to both scientists and the public.

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