Forgotten Slavic Settlement Unearthed in Saxony-Anhalt

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A Discovery Beneath the Power Lines

While preparing the ground for the SuedOstLink infrastructure project in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, archaeologists stumbled upon one of the region’s most remarkable medieval sites. Just west of Naundorf, an early Slavic settlement and cemetery spanning 120 meters long and up to 40 meters wide was revealed.

More than 600 features were documented, offering a vivid glimpse into how people lived, worked, and honored their dead in the Middle Ages.



What Was Found?

The excavation uncovered a surprisingly complex community layout:

16 pit houses (sunken-floored huts) used for living and storage

Ovens and hearths for food preparation and heating

A water well and drinking trough, evidence of livestock keeping

Two animal burials, suggesting ritual or symbolic meaning

A Slavic cemetery with numerous graves, linking the site to broader cultural practices

Why It Matters

This find is more than just an archaeological curiosity. It provides:

1. Clues to medieval Slavic migration and settlement patterns in Central Europe.

2. Insights into daily life, from food preparation to animal husbandry.

3. Evidence of cultural rituals, showing how communities treated both human and animal death.

Such discoveries enrich our understanding of early medieval Europe, where written records are scarce and material culture speaks volumes.

The Price of Discovery

Large infrastructure projects like SuedOstLink come with high costs—not just in construction, but also in archaeology. Excavations of this scale can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity of finds, preservation needs, and post-excavation analysis.

Yet, the knowledge gained is priceless: each artifact and structure adds another piece to Europe’s deep cultural puzzle.

Final Thoughts

What began as a technical powerline project has turned into a historical treasure hunt. The Naundorf settlement reminds us that beneath our modern infrastructure often lie forgotten chapters of human history, waiting to be uncovered.

🔗 I recommend reading

PLOS One – Archaeological Studies

German Archaeological Institute

Archaeology News – Archaeology.org

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