Sensational find in Vaihingen: 7,000-year-old graves and puzzles!

Sensational find in Vaihingen: 7,000-year-old graves and puzzles!

In Vaihingen an der Enz, archaeologists recently discovered a remarkable prehistoric grave that dates back to the 4th century BC. Excavations usually begin with some routine, but this time the team was surprised with a particularly emotional find. In recent weeks, researchers have discovered over 1,100 structures and artifacts, some of which are over 7,000 years old, on an area of ​​around four hectares that was previously earmarked for the development of a new industrial area La Bruja Verde reported.

The archaeological investigation, coordinated by the State Monument Preservation Office and ArcheoConnect GmbH, is focused on monument protection. The aim is to secure valuable relics of the past before the urban landscape changes further. Not only historical settlements of the so-called Bandkeramik culture can be traced back here, but also other settlements from the Middle Neolithic that are part of this rich history.

Finds from the past

Among the finds, a male skeleton laid in a fetal state stands out, along with a polished stone ax, dated to between 2800 and 2500 BC. This find indicates ritualized burial practices and reflects the tradition of cultic practices at the time. There were also two female skeletons - that of a woman and that of a child - which were treated with significantly less care. These bodies date to around 400 BC. BC and show that they may not have followed standard burial rites. According to the researchers, they may have died from asphyxia, possibly from toxic gases.

The most dramatic discovery, however, was the clothing of the deceased: the young girl wore two bronze bracelets, while the woman wore a beautiful necklace of blue glass beads. These finds indicate that people at that time already had knowledge of glass processing, which represents a significant advance in material culture.

A look into the past

The region around Vaihingen an der Enz is known for its archaeological treasures, which date back to the Neolithic. This is the case with the Bandkeramik culture, which dates from around 5500 to 4500 BC. BC flourished, an important part of this settlement geography. This culture was known for growing plants and domesticating animals, which marked the transition to agriculture. A typical feature of this period is the production of ceramics with characteristic superimposed friezes and various motifs. How Wikipedia notes, these groups often lived in large, fortified settlements known to be up to 40 hectares in size.

These new finds offer an insightful perspective on cultural practices and everyday life in the region. Not only do individual graves and burial rites take shape here, but the influence of the cultures that lived during this time also becomes increasingly visible. These excavations bring many areas of life into focus, including the production of everyday objects such as tools and vessels.

Finally, we can look forward to the future of the excavations. Manuel Birker, the head of the excavation, emphasizes that the high concentration of finds in the region provides strong evidence of human life over the millennia. Archaeologist Andrea Majer also expressed interest in exhibiting parts of these fascinating discoveries at the 2029 garden show to celebrate the 1250th anniversary of the first mention of Vaihingen. The captivating history of this region, which dates back to the Neolithic, will certainly also offer today's generations an exciting perspective.