Archaeological sensation: 4,000-year-old burial ground discovered near Söllingen!

Archaeological sensation: 4,000-year-old burial ground discovered near Söllingen!

During construction work on a wind farm near Söllingen in the Helmstedt district, workers came across an archaeological masterpiece: a burial ground from the Early Bronze Age that was over 4,000 years old was discovered. This is not everyday news, but a stroke of luck for Lower Saxony archeology that could enrich not only the region, but also the understanding of our early history. How news38 reported, the excavations began on June 16, 2025, parallel to the construction work on a new construction road in the wind farm.

The burial ground belongs to the Aunjetitz culture, which dates back to around 1900 BC. BC had its heyday. The region, including the Braunschweig hill country, is known for important finds from the Early Bronze Age. Six burial sites have been found so far, and these contain both classic skeletons and unusual burial forms with scattered bones. These finds could provide information about complex ideas about the afterlife and ritual practices of the time, reports Sat1 Regional.

Insight into the burial rites

How were people buried in the Early Bronze Age? Interestingly, some of the skeletons were lying on their sides and facing east, which could indicate religious beliefs. This could mean that people celebrated the rising of the sun at this time. Wikipedia explains that such burial forms, including “ragged” burials with isolated skulls and bone fragments, are not common.

The finds, which also include clay vessels as grave goods, are currently being carefully restored and documented. Students at the University of Göttingen are actively involved in this exciting project, which not only benefits science, but also provides valuable practical experience for the aspiring archaeologists. The results of this excavation are expected to be published in June 2026, and researchers hope to gain new insights into the living conditions, age and gender of those buried.

Potential for further discoveries

An important site was discovered in the Söllingen burial ground, which lies on the westernmost edge of the distribution area of ​​the Aunjetitz culture. This culture was one of the first to work with bronze and was active in the transition period from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium BC. BC flourished. Given the archaeological importance of the region and the fertile loess soils, future excavations could reveal even more exciting discoveries.

The collaboration between the Landwind Group, the district archeology department, the district archeology department and the University of Göttingen has already proven that these joint projects can provide valuable insights into history. The excavations are carried out under the direction of archaeologist Immo Heske, which ensures the progress and scientific accuracy of the work.

The next steps include comprehensive studies of the bones found, including 14C dating and anthropological analysis. If the bone material is well preserved, it could even be possible to determine the family relationships among those buried. Archeology in Lower Saxony faces some exciting challenges and opportunities that could redefine the picture of the Early Bronze Age in northern Germany.