During planned excavations ahead of infrastructure construction at the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery. They uncovered traces of a long-forgotten settlement.
On a plot of land beneath a meadow adjacent to Emil-Figge-Straße, researchers stumbled upon compelling evidence of continuous human habitation spanning thousands of years.
Over the past five decades, researchers have repeatedly found stone tools and pottery fragments in this area and its surroundings dating to the Neolithic, Iron Age, and the Middle Ages.
What Excited the Experts?
A team of archaeologists from contractor EggensteinExca recently uncovered more evidence from past eras, Arkeonews reports.
They used test trenches — exploratory excavations that reveal underground structures, their scale, and the site’s soil layers.
After making initial discoveries, the team expanded their search area. Ultimately, they uncovered numerous structures indicating a large Neolithic settlement. (The Neolithic, or New Stone Age, about 8000–4000 BC, marks the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and animal husbandry.)
Among the most significant finds are the ruins of what is known as an “earth house,” or dugout. These semi-subterranean structures are typically associated with craft production in prehistoric Europe. The sunken buildings provide valuable insights into life in these settlements.
Researchers hope that the dugout excavated on the grounds of the Technical University of Dortmund will help them better understand how ancient communities functioned in this region.
In addition to traces of architectural features that point to former building layouts, archaeologists discovered numerous fragments of pottery. However, dating these pieces is challenging because they lack distinctive shapes and decorative elements.
Upcoming radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples found during the excavations will help establish the precise timeline of human habitation in this settlement.
Another intriguing find was the nearly complete skeleton of a large animal, likely a horse or donkey. Further research is needed to confirm the species and age of the remains.
A Gift to Archaeologists from a Unique Locale
The discovery may indicate continued or renewed use of this area in later historical periods, adding another layer to the site’s long settlement history.
The site’s natural advantages made it attractive to prehistoric settlers.
This area features fertile forest soils typical of the northern slope of the Dortmund Ridge. Such soils are suitable for agriculture and livestock farming. Proximity to natural water sources also favored long-term settlement.
Equally significant is the site’s location along an ancient trade corridor running from west to east, known as Hellweg. This route, which has existed for thousands of years, played a vital role in the agricultural and commercial development of the region.
