Archaeologists made an unparalleled discovery from the entire Nordic Bronze Age (2200 to 800 BCE) near the burial mound of King Hinz in Seddin, Brandenburg, Germany. There, the remains of the largest meeting hall of the Bronze Age have been uncovered, measuring 10 by 31 meters, a size unique for this period, at least in Germany.
The archaeologists have demonstrated that anyone thinking of Prignitz as a peripheral region is mistaken, at least concerning the Bronze Age: apparently, the region was a center of power in the times of the legendary King Hinz around 2,800 years ago.
This is corroborated by the fact that archaeologists have now discovered the remains of a meeting hall from the 9th or 10th century BCE, whose size is unique for the Nordic Bronze Age, a significant find in all of Germany, if not Europe.
The royal tomb near Seddin, discovered in 1899 and dated to the 9th century BCE, is already considered the most important site of its time in northern Central Europe. The new discovery underlines this impressively.
In addition to the excavation team led by Dr. Immo Heske (University of Göttingen), the state archaeologist of Brandenburg, Professor Dr. Franz Schopper, and Secretary of State Tobias Dünow from the Ministry of Science, Research, and Culture of Brandenburg, presented the sensational find.
According to Tobias Dünow, the discovery is truly spectacular. Undoubtedly, luck is needed for a find like this. But it is also the result of exemplary cooperation at various levels, especially with the district of Prignitz and the municipality of Groß Pankow. The Secretary of State also pointed out that Seddin is the first and so far only archaeological reserve in Brandenburg that has been the subject of interdisciplinary research for many years.
For Franz Schopper, it is an absolute success: a very spacious building with the central piece of a fireplace in the middle. The walls were made of wooden planks and plaster. It is assumed to have been about seven meters high and had multiple floors.
It is the largest building of its kind; we only know of four buildings from this time in a period of 1000 years that have this breadth. The interior surface on the ground floor is 254 square meters. It was probably a hall for supra-regional meetings with a fireplace, said archaeologist Immo Heske.
At first glance, little more than the floor plan and some fieldstone remains can be distinguished. However, from a slightly elevated position or from the air, the extent of the discovery and its outline can be easily recognized.
Heske explained how to identify the remains of a building at this site, even if there are no ceramic finds: We have a treasure chest, and yet we are looking for the treasure because we cannot see it. For example, one has to rely on being able to interpret the discoloration of the soil. At least, a vessel that could have been used for ritual purposes was found. Heske brought one from the Perleberg Museum to compare.
According to Schopper, the research results will also be presented to the public. In addition to a comprehensive publication, informational panels and possibly a model of the hall are planned for the site. In consultation with local authorities, this will take place over a period of two to three years, said Schopper.
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