Gracarca, Archaeological mountain summit in Sankt Kanzian am Klopeiner See, Austria
Gracarca is an archaeological site rising to 676 meters above sea level, with hiking paths running between exposed conglomerate rock faces. The mountain displays numerous depressions and markings in its stone surfaces that reflect centuries of human activity and use.
Archaeological work began in 1992 and uncovered remains spanning the Bronze Age, Hallstatt period, and La Tène period. These findings reveal that different peoples returned to occupy this hilltop across more than a thousand years.
The hilltop served as a gathering place for successive communities, as evidenced by scattered pottery fragments and tool remains visible in museum displays. These objects reflect the everyday needs of people who chose to live and work on this exposed ridge.
A marked hiking trail provides straightforward access up the mountain, with information panels positioned along the way to explain the site. The route is open year-round and offers several viewpoints from the ridge.
Excavations revealed a substantial Roman water storage basin that was later repurposed by Celtic inhabitants for iron smelting work. This shift in use shows how practical the site proved for different kinds of production.
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