The Megalithic Sepulcher of Küsterberg, a Large 5500-year-old Monument in Germany, Restored

In the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, in the lush forest of Haldensleben, lies the largest concentration of megalithic tombs in Central Europe. Among them, the Küsterberg Megalithic Sepulcher, an imposing funerary monument from the Stone Age, has been partially reconstructed and was inaugurated yesterday, April 27, coinciding with the Day of Megalithic Culture.

The project, promoted by the city of Haldensleben in collaboration with the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt (LDA) and the Institute of Prehistory and Protohistory at the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, brings back to life a structure that had remained buried and deteriorated for millennia.

The Küsterberg, located in a field southeast of Haldensleben, near the town of Hundisburg (Börde district), was excavated between 2010 and 2013. The findings made it possible to reconstruct its original appearance with remarkable precision.

Megalithic sepulcher Küsterberg — Aerial photograph of the megalithic tomb of Küsterberg. On the eve of reconstruction works, March 2025. Credit: Barbara Fritsch / Landesamt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie Sachsen-Anhalt

The funerary chamber, oriented from east to west, measured eleven meters long and two meters wide. It was composed of seven capstones, with a total weight of 13 tons, and 19 orthostats (upright stones), arranged in pairs at the ends. The spaces between these blocks were filled with a dry wall made of fractured greywacke, while the floor of the chamber was paved with the same material.

Surrounding the structure, sixteen megaliths formed a perimeter ring measuring 16 meters long and five meters wide, with two-meter intervals between them. As in the chamber, the gaps were sealed with dry masonry. The entrance was located at the center of the south side, preceded by a semicircular paved area with a radius of four meters. In this space, traces of at least three independent megaliths were documented, two of them aligned with the main entrance.

Originally, the entire complex was covered by a tumulus that likely used earth from the surrounding hill, which was leveled before its construction.

A Looted Tomb: Traces from the Bronze and Iron Ages

Around 3,000 years ago, during the transition between the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Küsterberg underwent significant alteration. Intruders removed part of the tumulus and extracted one of the orthostats. As evidence of this looting, archaeologists found a ceremonial bird-shaped vessel, almost intact, dating to that period.

The last evidence of use dates back to the Iron Age (600–200 BC), although it is unknown whether the site retained any ritual function in later times.

Based on excavation data, the team led by the LDA and the University of Kiel, with the support of volunteers, proceeded this year to reposition the capstones and orthostats using heavy machinery. The dry walls were reconstructed manually, the chamber was filled with gravel, and the entrance was sealed with stones.

The result is integrated into two key tourist routes: the “4 Million Years of Human History” circuit (a 40-km route around Haldensleben) and the Aller-Elbe Cycle Route (80 km).

Megalithic tombs like the Küsterberg were landmarks in the landscape for ancient communities, inspiring legends and traditions. Those in Haldensleben stand out for their number and size, establishing Saxony-Anhalt as a benchmark in European prehistoric heritage. Their inclusion in the European Route of Megalithic Culture (Megalithic Routes) reinforces their exceptional value.