Fürstengrab von Helmsdorf

The Fürstengrab von Helmsdorf is a Bronze Age burial mound in Saxony-Anhalt that rises approximately 7 meters high with a diameter of about 33 to 34 meters. At its center lies a wooden burial chamber surrounded by stone that once contained valuable objects.

The burial mound was built around 1840 BCE during the Unetice culture period and originally contained precious items like bronze blades, tools, and gold ornaments. Much of the site was later disturbed by plundering during medieval times.

The burial site reflects the importance of its occupant through its monumental size and the valuable objects placed within it. The quality of these items reveals how wealthy and influential this person was in ancient times.

The mound sits in the Mansfeld-Südharz region between the villages of Augsdorf and Helmsdorf and is accessible as an archaeological site. Artifacts discovered there are now displayed at the Regional Historical Collections in Eisleben, making it easy to combine a visit to both locations.

Researchers found evidence of injuries on skeletal remains within the burial chamber, suggesting the person buried there may have experienced a violent death. This rare archaeological clue provides insight into violence during the Bronze Age.