Research history

Research history

Discovery, excavation, reconstruction

In 1987 workers ploughing near the Eichstädter Warte accidentally came across a Neolithic megalithic tomb. Shortly afterwards, rescue excavations by the Landesamt für Archäologie und Denkmalpflege began, revealing remarkable things:

One of the capstones was a menhir with various engravings, known today as the „Langeneichstädt Dolmen Goddess“. Previously unpublished archival material provides insights into the excavation and the reconstruction of the chamber tomb at the original site.

The discovery of the site

9 April 1987: Finder Harry Sperrharke from Langeneichstädt at the site of the megalithic tomb on the day of its discovery. In the background the watchtower.

A representative of the Querfurt district council inspects the site.

First general planum, view from the north-west.

27.04.1987: The roof of the chamber is exposed and a first planum prepared. The gap in the area of the third capstone is already clearly visible.

The roof of the chamber is measured and drawn.

Working photo of the excavation team shortly before the capstones were removed. © LDA.

The western part of the tomb is disturbed – here the capstones are already missing. The burial chamber can be excavated deeper in this area. View from the west.

Removal of the capstones

The first capstone at the east end of the burial chamber is carefully lifted by the mechanical excavator.

Technical support: Lifting of the first capstone.

Lifting of the second capstone.

The large capstone in the east of the burial chamber is carefully lifted by the mechanical excavator.

During the excavation of the burial chamber the two capstones 3 and 4 (menhir with dolmen goddess) which had been broken in antiquity were revealed.

Removal of the broken menhir in the Barkas van of the State Museum.

The uncovering of the burial chamber

Nearly 200 dog’s teeth were found in the burial chamber. Many of them were perforated and probably worn as a necklace.

The burial chamber is excavated down to the slab paving. View from the west.

The floor of the chamber was lined with a multi-layered paved floor of limestone slabs. Photo taken from the east.

In the west the paved floor borders on a miniature stele of red sandstone. View from the west.

When uncovering the paved floor, some small finds came to light: here a rare example of a copper sheet metal sleeve. © LDA.

The reconstruction of the megalithic tomb at the original site

After the completion of the excavation work, the megalithic tomb was reconstructed at the original site.

The construction of the chamber threatens to collapse following the excavation and exposure of the supporting stones. One of the sidewall stones had already tilted in antiquity.

Because the sidewall stones were exposed from both sides, they need to be supported with poles.

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