Archaeologists discover rare well-preserved 2,600-year-old Celtic wooden burial chamber in Germany

Archaeologists in Germany uncovered a remarkably well-preserved 2,600-year-old wooden burial chamber at the center of a large burial mound near Riedlingen in Baden-Württemberg. The burial chamber, dating back to the early Celtic period, was found unexpectedly during excavations on the Danube River plains, just 70 centimeters below the surface.

The burial mound, originally standing 6 meters tall and measuring 65 meters in diameter, is located near the powerful fortifications of Heuneburg. The chamber is noteworthy for the remarkable quality of its preservation, being only the second well-preserved Celtic burial chamber ever found in Germany since 1890.

The findings were reported on by The Express, Die Welt, Newsweek, and Popular Mechanics, among others.

Inside the mound, archaeologists discovered oak timbers from a completely preserved burial chamber, including its ceiling, walls, and floor made of solid oak, showcasing a high level of architectural engineering. The chamber measures approximately 3.40 meters wide and 4.05 meters long, with walls about one meter high that supported a crossbeam holding the weight of the ceiling.

"The Riedlingen grave is a stroke of luck for archaeology," said Dirk Krausse, the state archaeologist of Baden-Württemberg. "The scientific significance of this modern examined and fully preserved Celtic chamber grave extends far beyond the borders of Baden-Württemberg and southern Germany."

The discovery is exceptional due to the rarity of finding well-preserved wooden burial chambers from the Celtic period. Under normal conditions, buried wood typically survives for a few years to decades. However, the damp conditions of the site's soil prevented oxygen from reaching the wood, preserving it for 2,600 years. The oak timbers were submerged in groundwater, limiting exposure to oxygen and preventing decay.

The burial chamber was built around 585 B.C., as confirmed by dendrochronological analysis of a "club-like" wooden artifact likely used during the chamber's construction. Annual rings are clearly visible in the wood, allowing for precise dating.

Despite its sturdy structure, ancient looters were able to infiltrate the burial chamber through a small hole measuring just 40 by 45 centimeters, stripping it of valuables. So far, archaeologists have not found metal objects or other valuable materials in the chamber's soil, suggesting that the looting was systematic and meticulous. Evidence of tunnels dug by looters has been documented in the southeast corner of the chamber.

Human remains were found in the chamber and in two other graves near the mound's surface. Among these remains are the bones of a man between 25 and 35 years old, found along with two bronze fibulae and a small piece of rock crystal, likely worn around the neck as an amulet. Experts dated this nearby grave to 500 B.C., indicating that this individual was buried secondarily in the mound.

A small pit containing two ceramic urns filled with cremated remains, dated to around 600 B.C., was uncovered under the tumulus. The discoveries provide valuable insights into the funerary practices of the Celts and suggest that the burial mound was used over an extended period.

Excavations at the site will continue in the coming weeks, with the aim of completing the work by the end of the year. The team of archaeologists is using advanced excavation, documentation, and restoration technologies to ensure the preservation and detailed study of the artifacts. All the wood from the chamber will be salvaged, preserved, and restored over the next few years for an eventual chamber reconstruction in a museum.

Dr. Roberto Tarpini, who is leading the excavations, emphasized the importance of the analyses that will follow after the conclusion of the excavations. "These studies may shed light on key questions, such as the identity of the person buried in this monumental tomb," he stated.

Among the remains, some bronze and iron nails recovered suggest that the chamber may have contained a four-wheeled chariot, a custom noted in other elite Celtic tombs, such as the famous burial of the Hochdorf prince. This type of chariot is similar to those found in other elite Celtic tombs, indicating the high social status of the individual buried.

Claus Wolf, president of the Stuttgart Regional Council, said that all the wood from the chamber will be salvaged, preserved, and restored over the next few years for an eventual chamber reconstruction in a museum.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq