Söllingen: Sensational Bronze Age burial ground discovered!

Söllingen: Sensational Bronze Age burial ground discovered!

In Söllingen, in the Helmstedt district, an archaeological sensation is causing a stir. As construction work on a new wind farm is in full swing, construction workers discovered a burial ground that looks back on over 4,000 years of history. This discovery, which saw the light of day in 2025, is stimulating the minds of archaeologists and history buffs alike. News 38 reports that the region is already known for earlier discoveries of the Bell Beaker and Aunjetitzer cultures, making this discovery a real stroke of luck for Lower Saxony archaeology.

The burial ground, which belongs to the Aunjetitz culture, has been uncovered since June 16th. Loud Wikipedia The archaeologists found a total of six burial sites. These body graves are laid out in a specific orientation: the buried lay in a squatting position to the side and looked to the east, which may refer to beliefs about the rising sun at the time.

Aunjetitz culture and ritual offerings

What are the finds special about? The excavations have produced diverse burial forms, including both classic skeletons and “ragged” burials with isolated skull and bone fragments. In some cases, the graves are also combined with grave goods in the form of clay vessels, which indicate ritual practices of the time. The next steps, such as the restoration and scientific documentation of these finds, are guaranteed to be accompanied by extensive interest.

The bones and skeletons that have been uncovered so far are part of an extensive research project being carried out under the direction of Immo Heske from the Georg-August University of Göttingen. NDR reports that the project is being carried out in close cooperation with the Helmstedt District Archeology Department and the Lower Saxony State Office for Monument Preservation. The scientific analyzes of the finds, including 14C dating to determine the age as well as anthropological studies, are already being planned and promise interesting insights into the ruling and living conditions of the time.

A significant connection to the past

The East Brunswick Hills region, where the burial ground is located, was during the transition from the 3rd to the 2nd millennium BC. an important settlement area. This area is known for its archaeological wealth, which is characterized by important finds from the Bell Beaker and Aunjetitzer cultures. Another detail that concerns the preservation of these finds: If the bone material is in good condition, the family structure among those buried could even be examined. The first research results are to be published in 2026 as part of the “Archaeology in Lower Saxony” series of publications.

Overall, this discovery opens new doors to interpreting our past. The centuries-old burials shed exciting light on the cultural practices of people so long ago and make the region even more interesting for history lovers and tourists. Who would have thought that a wind farm could be the key to such historical knowledge?