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Discovery from the Bronze Age: 4,000-year-old graves in Söllingen!
Construction work in the Söllingen wind farm, Helmstedt, discovered a 4,000-year-old burial ground of the Aunjetitz culture.
Discovery from the Bronze Age: 4,000-year-old graves in Söllingen!
The excavation in Söllingen in the Helmstedt district of Lower Saxony has borne very special fruit: While construction work for a new wind farm is in full swing, workers came across a burial ground that is over 4,000 years old and dates back to the Early Bronze Age. This lucky discovery is considered a real benefit for archeology in Lower Saxony news38 reported.
The burial ground, which was recently discovered, belongs to the Aunjetice culture, which was one of the first groups to use bronze in the early 2nd millennium BC. Loud Wikipedia This region is extremely valuable archaeologically because it was previously populated by the Bell Beaker and Aunjetitzer cultures. The significant results of the excavations are not only of historical relevance, they also raise exciting questions about the beliefs of the time.
The excavations in detail
With the start of the excavations on June 16, 2025, the archaeologists began to carefully document the discoveries in the context of the construction work on the wind farm. A total of six graves were examined, some of which were in a crouched side position and aligned in a north-south direction. These graves offer a fascinating insight into the burial practices of the period, where the dead were often buried facing east, which may be related to beliefs about the afterlife.
The finds are diverse: In addition to classic skeletons, so-called “torn” burials can also be found in the pits. In addition, isolated skull and bone fragments were discovered that are considered exceptional. The grave goods include clay vessels, which also provide clues to the ritual significance of the burials, according to a report by daily news described.
What's next?
The excavation work is a cooperation between the Landwind group, the Helmstedt district archeology department, the district archeology department and the University of Göttingen, which are participating in this research project. Future analysis, including 14C dating and anthropological studies, will increase understanding of the social structures of the time. The research results are scheduled to be published in 2026 and could also initiate research into the family relationships of those buried.
A look into the past that shows how rich and diverse the culture of our ancestors was. The region around Söllingen has unearthed an archaeological pearl with a boring wind farm that still holds many secrets and is waiting to be evaluated.