Gönnersdorf

Gönnersdorf is an excavation area featuring remains of circular tents and larger dwelling structures situated on a high terrace above the Neuwied Basin. The findings include engraved slate tiles, ivory and bone statuettes, and numerous animal bones scattered throughout the settlement.

The site originated around 15,500 years ago as a Magdalenian hunter settlement inhabited by mobile groups. Its discovery in 1968 during house construction was significant because the archaeological layers had been sealed beneath volcanic pumice.

The slate tiles discovered here display engraved animals and female figures, showing how people created art in this settlement. These objects reveal the creative abilities and spiritual beliefs of the hunters who lived here.

The remains are preserved beneath volcanic pumice layers from the Laacher See eruption, which has protected the artifacts exceptionally well. The site is open and exposed to weather, so visitors should expect potentially muddy or difficult ground conditions depending on the season.

Analysis of animal bones reveals concentrated hunting of horses, reindeer, bison, and mammoths in specific areas of the settlement. This pattern suggests the residents employed coordinated strategies to pursue large game, likely requiring collaboration between multiple family groups.