Römerschanze bei Potsdam, Prehistoric hillfort near Sacrow, Potsdam, Germany
Römerschanze is a prehistoric hillfort near Sacrow in Potsdam, situated on a wooded rise within a nature reserve and standing roughly 19 meters above the surrounding lake. The site spreads across two hectares and preserves remaining rampart sections that reach up to three meters in height.
The hillfort was built during the Bronze Age and remained inhabited over many centuries until it was abandoned during the Hallstatt period. Archaeological digs conducted between 1908 and 1911 uncovered layers of occupation spanning from around 1250 BCE to 550 BCE.
The fortification served as a living settlement where the Lusatian people built homes and conducted daily activities on this elevated location. The defensive walls show how communities organized themselves and valued this particular spot for protection and habitation.
The site is accessible through marked trails in the nature reserve, allowing visitors to view the rampart remains from different angles. Wear sturdy footwear as the terrain is uneven and wooded paths cover much of the ground.
Excavations revealed the foundations of buildings inside the fort, including one substantial house that shows how many people could have lived together in this settlement. These discoveries provide rare insights into how ancient residents arranged their spaces and organized their community.
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