Unearthed Cemetery Near Regensburg: Scientific Exploration Reveals Historic Burial Site
In the heart of Saxony-Anhalt, archaeologists have made a series of fascinating discoveries that offer a glimpse into the past. Among the finds are graves from the late Neolithic Bell Beaker culture (2500-2050 BC), which have been discovered with surprising finds.
The Bell Beaker culture, named for its characteristic ceramic vessels, spread across Europe from 2500 BC. Unlike other periods, it did not do so in a closed manner, existing alongside groups with a different material culture. The group associated with the 3000-year-old graves discovered in Westphalia is not explicitly named, but graves from similar regions around the same time are often linked to cultures from the Bronze Age or early Iron Age.
The Bell Beaker culture is associated with the earliest gold finds in Central Germany. The deceased in these burials were often identified as warriors due to the inclusion of arrowheads, arm protectors, copper daggers, or jewelry. Notable findings include two double burials, raising questions about kinship or social affiliation.
The Bell Beaker culture buried its dead in a crouched side position. Women lay on their right side with their head to the south, while men lay on their left side with their head to the north, both with their gaze directed eastwards. Grave goods in Bell Beaker burials were often quite modest, frequently consisting of only one or a few ceramic vessels.
Another significant find is a well that predates the grave site by around 200 years and is attributed to the Altheimer culture. A preserved acorn and an oak leaf were found in this well, adding to its scientific significance.
In the Regensburg district of Upper Palatinate, 22 graves from the late Neolithic to early Bronze Age (2600-2200 BC) were discovered, including crouched burials. The finds from the well are being transferred to the restoration workshops of the monument preservation office for conservation, documentation, and scientific evaluation.
Interestingly, the archaeological work does not affect the progress of the power line construction, as these investigations were planned from the outset. These discoveries offer a valuable insight into the lives and customs of our ancestors and contribute to our understanding of the evolution of human societies.
