Sensational finds in the Saale-Holzland district: insight into the Neolithic Age!

Sensational finds in the Saale-Holzland district: insight into the Neolithic Age!

In the Saale-Holzland district in Thuringia, archaeologists have landed a real stroke of luck near Walpernhain. The discovery as part of a construction project for a large power line could significantly expand our understanding of the Neolithic period and is already posing many puzzles today. In total, more than 10,000 artifacts were recovered, including flint artifacts, special stone tools for woodworking and a variety of ceramic objects. This makes this one of the most important sites in the region, which Thüringen24 reports on.

As the excavations show, stone processing workshops were also uncovered, providing interesting insights into the technologies of this era. It will be particularly exciting to see what other finds may come to light - the researchers are optimistic that the site still has many surprises in store. The Thuringian State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology highlights the outstanding significance of this discovery and promises new insights into the techniques and handling of materials in the Neolithic population.

Discovering the past, trench by trench

Fascinating excavations that revolved around flint mining also recently took place near Artern in the Kyffhäuser district. There, archaeologists discovered more than 500 pits and shafts up to five meters deep, which are evidence of intensive mining activity. The finds date from the second half of the fourth millennium BC and prove that flint mining was not only widespread at that time, but also highly organized. Welt reports shovels made from cattle shoulder blades and an antler pick, which indicate that people at that time were quite inventive in their use of resources were.

The human remains that were discovered are also exciting. About a dozen skeletons were found in the mining shafts, raising questions about the burial and social status of those people. Are they miners, relatives or even slaves? The finds show different features of the graves and suggest differences in rank. Women were buried with tools and ornaments, while men received graves with weapons and other valuable objects - an indication of their social status.

A look into the Bronze Age

In addition to these discoveries, remains of an early Bronze Age settlement were also found on the future Schönfeld – Ringleben bypass. These humble but revealing relics bear witness to the region's colorful and complex past. The excavations cover over 3 hectares, with archaeological treasures dating back to the 1st millennium BC. Archaeology Online highlights that the rows of pits that can be found between the buildings were probably used to demarcate territories - a clever one Move to keep order in heavily populated landscapes.

The newly discovered traces of the past not only contribute to expanding our knowledge of the way of life of our ancestors, but are also an impressive example of the possibilities that modern archeology offers. In the coming months we can look forward to further interesting finds and findings that will enrich our view of the Neolithic and Bronze Age.