Erdwerk von Esbeck, Archaeological site in Schöningen, Germany
The Erdwerk von Esbeck is a prehistoric settlement surrounded by two ditch rings and covering roughly 2 hectares total. The site displays the typical construction approach of early farming communities with their characteristic defensive structures.
The settlement was founded around 6000 BCE when farmers from southeastern Europe migrated to this area and established themselves. It represents one of the earliest fortified settlements in northern Germany and marks the beginning of agriculture in this region.
The settlement shows how early farming communities lived here and interacted with local populations. These encounters between newcomers and established hunter-gatherers left marks in the pottery and tools that were discovered.
The site is now accessible as an open-air museum where visitors can view the ditch structures. Sturdy footwear is recommended since the ground can be muddy depending on the season.
The site was not discovered until 1974 and excavated in 1982, yielding thousands of objects made from clay, stone, and flint. These finds clearly show how early inhabitants made their tools and carried out their daily work.
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