Archaeologists Make a Significant Discovery in Saxony-Anhalt

A team of archaeologists from the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt has uncovered a rare menhir during excavations near Halberstadt, Germany. This significant find sheds light on ancient cultures that once inhabited the region and adds to the sparse record of menhirs in central Germany.

What Are Menhirs?

Menhirs, meaning “long stones” in Brittonic languages, are large, upright monolithic stones placed by human hands. These ancient structures primarily date back to the Middle Bronze Age, with some examples tracing as far back as the Late Neolithic period. They can stand alone or form part of larger groups, and while they are commonly found in Brittany, France, their presence in central Germany is rare due to destruction over millennia.

Unexpected Findings at Warmholzberg

The discovery site, located northeast of Halberstadt in the Warmholzberg area, was initially thought to contain remnants of Witecke Castle, a medieval fortress destroyed in AD 1140. Structural anomalies in local grain fields hinted at underground moats, prompting aerial photography studies in the 1990s. These images revealed an intricate ditch system, including two parallel ditches measuring 125 meters long and an additional trapezoidal ditch. Archaeologists later identified the latter as a burial site from the Baalberg culture, a branch of the Funnelbeaker culture, dating back to the fourth millennium BC.

Recent excavations at the site have provided more clarity, revealing ditches that extend between 0.8 to 1.2 meters deep. Among the findings was a massive sandstone slab transported from a quarry at least five kilometers away. Measuring 1.74 meters in height and exhibiting a pyramidal shape, this slab has been identified as a menhir.

Cultural Significance of the Menhir

Experts believe that the menhir played a crucial role within the Warmholzberg complex, possibly serving as a landmark at the summit of a ridge. However, at some point in history, it was deliberately removed and placed into a ditch, suggesting it may have been a ritual deposit.

The question of who moved the menhir remains unresolved. It is likely that the stone was relocated by a later culture rather than the descendants of its original builders. For these later inhabitants, the menhir may have been viewed as an artifact from a bygone era, possibly even regarded as mysterious or ominous. Notably, decorated menhirs found in central Germany have often been repurposed in antiquity, frequently integrated into newer burial sites.

This remarkable discovery provides fresh insights into the shifting cultural beliefs of ancient European societies and highlights the evolving significance of monumental stones throughout history.