Stätteberg - A Bronze Age Hillfort

The Stätteberg

Enlarge

This huge, largely unknown fortification covering a total area of 86 hectares was founded in the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. This makes it one of the largest Bronze Age castle complexes in Bavaria. The highest point of the plateau is surrounded by a separate fortification made of megalithic "cyclopean" stone blocks, which is unique north of the Alps.
The "cyclopean" wall, built from large, hewn limestone blocks in the 14th century BC, was completely uncovered during excavations in one section. Similar walls can be found in the Bronze Age castelliere of Istria on the northeastern Adriatic Sea or in the Aegean Sea. Two wall shells, originally just over two meters high and made of solid limestone blocks, were filled with small stones and rammed earth. Massive wooden posts attached to the front and rear facades held this structure together and formed the foundation of a wooden battlement. In a massive inferno at the beginning of the late Bronze Age, this wall was burned down along its entire length. Afterwards, the castle was probably razed after a successful siege and never inhabited again. The site was also special due to the presence of a large sanctuary, a so-called burnt offering site, at the highest point of the mountain, where animal sacrifices were made and cult meals were held for many participants.

Enlarge

Our investigations show that this type of fortification is unique to the Stätteberg and that the large boulders of the wall were broken immediately in front of it. It is the oldest known quarry in Central Europe. Furthermore, our investigations this year have shown that a pre-wall located 25 meters in front of the large fortification was similarly constructed, although it was less powerful. This wall was not destroyed by fire, but systematically dismantled.
The results of the excavation at the rear of the wall were also exciting. In addition to pottery shards, animal bones had been deposited there, the remains of meals, but possibly also evidence of sacrifices. Human bones were also found. Whether these are ritual deposits or victims of the siege remains to be clarified.