Goseck circle, Neolithic solar observatory in Goseck, Germany.
Goseck Circle is a circular earthwork roughly 75 meters across from the Neolithic period, surrounded by two rings of wooden posts. The enclosure has three gates positioned at specific astronomical angles that frame views to the horizon at important times of year.
The site was built around 4900 BC, making it one of the oldest monumental structures in Central Europe from that era. Archaeological excavations revealed that this location held importance over several centuries before being abandoned.
The site reveals how Neolithic people gathered for communal purposes, using the space to mark sacred moments in their yearly cycle. Walking through the reconstructed gates, you sense how important astronomical knowledge was for organizing their society and spiritual life.
You can walk through the reconstructed wooden posts year-round and experience the full scale of the site from different angles. A nearby information center at Goseck Castle displays findings and explains the archaeological work that uncovered this monument.
The three gates frame the sunrise and sunset on the summer and winter solstice days when viewed from the center. This astronomical precision from five thousand years ago shows how carefully Neolithic farmers studied the sky.
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