Kreisgrabenanlage Schönebeck

Kreisgrabenanlage Schönebeck is a Bronze Age ring ditch in the flat Elbe lowlands, consisting of a double ditch system with about 80 meters (260 feet) in diameter. Beyond the circular ditch, the site contains remains of later burials from the Iron Age, showing that people used this location across several centuries.

The ring ditch was built during the Early Bronze Age between 2150 and 1740 BCE as part of the early Aunjetitz culture of Central Germany. The site was reused for burials during the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, showing its importance to different generations.

The site reflects the settlement patterns of Bronze Age communities through its visible ditch systems and burial zones. The layout shows how people arranged their living spaces and designated areas for the deceased within the same landscape.

The site sits on a flat plateau in the Elbe lowlands and is accessible on foot from the nearby town of Schönebeck. Defined paths cross the area, though the open terrain requires caution during wet or snowy weather.

The site was discovered only in 1991 through aerial photography, revealing how such Bronze Age structures become visible from above. A small oval ditch measuring 13 meters across was added much later and stands apart from the main ring system, indicating different periods of use.

Location: Schönebeck

GPS coordinates: 52.00616,11.78689

Latest update: December 12, 2025 16:43