Recent excavations in Germany have revealed significant findings at a fortified settlement linked to the Linear Pottery culture, one of the largest Neolithic settlements in Europe. The site, located in the town of Eilsleben in Saxony-Anhalt, has been under investigation by archaeologists from the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) since September 2023.
Although the settlement was initially discovered in the 1920s, comprehensive excavations were first conducted between 1974 and 1989, uncovering ancient houses, numerous burials, and pits likely used for ritual sacrifices of humans and animals. Recent digs confirm the hypothesis that this site is one of the most substantial of its era.
The archaeologists have already excavated 200 square meters, employing advanced technologies to analyze the findings and gain new insights into the settlement's history. Among the discoveries are a large number of ceramic vessels and stone tools, including blades, arrowheads, and axes, along with artifacts made from bones and antlers.
According to the LDA, the remains of the Neolithic settlement are surprisingly well-preserved. Archaeologists have found post holes from houses and remnants of wattle and daub walls. The concentration of artifacts allows for conclusions about the use of spaces within the settlement.
Researchers have divided the phases of occupation into two distinct periods. In the early stage, houses were oriented north-south, and the settlement was protected by a defensive ditch up to three meters wide. In the later phase, the settlement was surrounded by an earthen rampart and palisade, with an additional ditch, culminating in a massive trapezoidal defensive structure.