Near Redlingen, Germany, a group of archaeologists discovered an Iron Age burial chamber in the middle of a massive burial mound that was originally six meters high and 65 meters in diameter. According to researchers, this type of barrow belongs to the group of so-called princely barrows, which were reserved for the high-ranking elite of the Celtic community in British Columbia. Between 620 and 450 – wrote A Daily heritage.
Andrea Lindlauer, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development in Baden-Württemberg, described the discovery as remarkable, which remains completely intact 2,600 years after it was built. During excavations, they found a room built of solid oak, located 70 cm below the surface of the ground. This is a unique discovery, because organic matter decomposes after a few years or decades, unless the soil contains a high percentage of alkalis, which prevents the work of microorganisms.
The burial chamber is about 3.4 meters wide, 4.05 meters long, and faces from north to south. Its walls consist of three oak boards placed vertically and joined together at their corners. The walls are about one meter high, and in the middle they have a cross beam, which was supposed to bear the weight of the roof, but has collapsed over the centuries.
There are uncertain factors regarding the history of the grave and the body found in it
Exact dating of the oak material found in the chamber has not yet been done, although archaeologists have proven through analysis of annual rings that the raw material of the wooden shovel found at the site dates back to BC. It was probably cut down around the year 585.
During the excavations, they found traces of two tunnels, which were likely dug by grave robbers in search of precious metals. On the other hand, only ceramics and decorative bronze nails were found, which could be from a chariot.
From the skeleton found in the grave, they have not yet been able to determine whether it is a man or a woman. According to preliminary analyses, the remains could belong to a man between 15 and 20 years old, and 160-168 centimeters tall.