Fürstengrab von Gommern

The Prince's Grave of Gommern is a 3rd-century burial chamber made of wood and measuring about 2 by 3 meters in size. It contained the remains of a high-ranking man together with valuable objects made from gold, silver, bronze, and glass.

The site was discovered in 1990 and held the remains of a man aged about 25 to 30 who died around 250 CE. His burial with such valuable objects shows that he held an important position in Germanic society.

The burial goods include a blend of Roman silver vessels and Germanic items such as beer containers and a heavy gold ring. This combination reveals the close trading relationships between Germanic communities and the Roman Empire.

The burial site itself is located in Gommern, but all excavated objects are now preserved and displayed at the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle. It is best to visit the museum to understand the finds in their full significance.

The shield from the grave features a center piece made from a repurposed Roman silver vessel, showing the skill of Germanic craftspeople in working with materials. This practical reuse of Roman objects was typical of trade networks of that time.