Use of land and resources in the late Bronze Age at the Heeseberg (Northern Harz region) in the relationship between power, craftsmanship and cult.

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Karl-Heinz Willroth
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2012 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 225412008

Multi disciplinary investigations at a late bronze age / early iron age hillfort Hünenburg near Watenstedt, Kr. Helmstedt, with a rampart, outer-settlement and urnfield took extensive insight into the development, inner structure, economic basis as well as burial and ritual practices. The cultural establishment and the widespread long distance network are seen in the archaeological context, too. For the first time in middle Europe the investigations at a late Bronze Age outer-settlement with until this time unknown huge expansion led to important aspects of the centralistic function of these types of settlement. To get a well founded knowledge of the hillfort, its hinterland and landscape in ancient times, investigations in the regional resources (salt, mining activity), the relationship to neighboured settlements and the topography of the outer settlement are part of a huge fieldwork project in combination with natural sciences. On the top of interest stand the excavations of a recently discovered ancient creek with excellent preservation of wood. This site at the border of the outer settlement could be answering different questions about the economic and ritual activities, organic objects, food organisation and the late Bronze Age ecologic framework.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants