Nucleus

The reconstructed circular ditch enclosure Pömmelte is a unique example of prehistoric religious buildings. Farmers and warriors built this complex monument at the end of the Stone Age some 4,300 years ago – around the same time as Stonehenge, as a complex ritual site where a variety of religious activities were practiced. The entrances are astronomically aligned on important dates of the agricultural calendar. Since December 2015 the complex bears the name “Ringheiligtum Pömmelte” (ring sanctuary Pömmelte).

The entire complex has a diameter of about 115 m, with the circular ditch, which is a cult place from the end of the 3rd Millennium BC, has a diameter of about 80 m.

The circular ditch enclosure is together with the finding place of the Nebra sky disk, the circular ditch enclosure of Goseck, the megalithic tomb Langeneichstädt and the Halle State Museum of Prehistory a station on the tourist road Himmelswege (Celestial Pathways).

Drive from Schönebeck on the L51 in the direction of Pömmelte and follow the road about 2 kilometers to the complex, which is signed from the road.

A must see site for every Modern Antiquarian :-)!

Although this stone is no longer upright and was deposited on several stones, this is a menhir and not the capstone of a megalithic tomb. The menhir was originally upright near the station and was relocated at some time.

The menhir is made of quartzite. Its height is 370 cm, the width 140 cm and the depth 58 cm. He is plate-shaped and heavily rugged. It is a pity that this great menhir stands no longer upright.

On an information board the place name Güsten is derived from the stone:

“On glaciers back it came to us
in ancient times a sacrificial stone
gave our village it’s name
Gudenesstein
970 Guddenstein, 1278 Guzsten, 1373 Güsten.”

The name “Speckseite”, as well as the menhir of the same name from Aschersleben, is derieved after the shiny, somewhat on bacon (soapstone) reminiscent surface. The menhir is located in the middle of town, directly on the B 185.

Visited April 2019

The stone is located about 4 km north of Aschersleben. There it stands tree-lined in the middle of a wind farm today. The menhir consists of brown coal quartzite. Its height is 1.84 m, width 1.88 m and depth 0.60 m. The name “Blaue Gans” (Blue Goose) may indicate that the menhir served as a place of judgment during the Middle Ages, as the term “Blaue Steine” (blue stones) is often used for court stones.

Drive in Aschersleben on the B180 northward towards Winningen. About 400 m before you cross the B6 turn right into a road between two fields Drive for about 1.2 km before you reach a T-crossing, turn left (north) here. Cross the B6 over a bridge and after 1.5 km turn right. After another 700 meters turn left. Then turn right after 300 meters and follow the path along the wind turbines. After 500 meters turn left behind the small grove. After 130 meters then a small path leads left into the grove, which leads directly to the stone.

Visited April 2019

The menhir stands on a natural hill, which was further artificially piled up as a burial mound. An approximately 4,000-year-old stone cist was found, which can be placed either in the end of the Neolithic or the beginning of the Bronze Age. The menhir is to be interpreted as a funeral stele. It is a platy, about 1.90 meters high and still 1.0 meters in the ground stuck menhir of tertiary quartzite. Numerous old, hand-forged and also newer nails are hammered into the stone. Sadly, the menhir is defaced by some Graffitti.

You drive from Aschersleben in the direction of Groß Schierstedt. 100 meters behind a railway underpass is the grave mound with the menhir on the right. There is an information board (of which the information here essentially comes).

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Kulturkreis Adam Olearius Aschersleben e.V.:

Grave mound
Speckseite
Aschersleben

Here on the eastern outskirts of Aschersleben, stands near the road to Groß Schierstedt on a hill a 1.90 m high menhir made of quartzite (about 1.0 m are still stuck in the ground).

The vernacular has given this stone because of its shiny surface the name “Speckseite”.

It stands on a natural hill, which is still set up a flat hill. Directly near the stone a prehistoric stone cist was proven by excavations. This grave has an age of about 4000 years and belongs to the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age. It can be assumed that everything was created at the same time: stone cist grave, burial mound and grave stele the “Speckseite”.

Around the grave mound medieval graves can also be found.

The old burial mound with the Menhir was then in the Middle Ages an important court in Schwabengau.

It was not until much later, in modern times, that the tradition of driving in nails into the stone by passing blacksmiths and carters became a sign of their skill. These nails are mainly seen from the east side of the stone.

Thus, the “Speckseite” of Aschersleben has much to offer: it is grave stele of a prehistoric tomb, court stone and nail stone in one.

The Stockhof is a burial mound of the late Neolithic Bernburg culture near Gröna, a district of Bernburg (Saale). Here, a central wall chamber grave with several burials and numerous grave goods was found. Furthermore, a burial from the Migration Period was discovered in the hill bed. The hill is located a few hundred meters behind the eastern outskirts of Gröna directly on a power line. The hill is southwest-northeast oriented and originally had probably an oval shape. At the time of the excavation he had a length of 30 m and a width of 7 m. The stone on the hill probably has nothing to do with the tomb inside, but was added later.

You drive from Gröna in the direction of Bernburg on the Grönaer Landstraße (K2105). Shortly after the last houses, the road turns left. There you drive straight ahead, 50 meters further on you will find the hill on the right, with the remains of the tomb.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

The Stockhof

Middle Neolithic:
Bernburg culture approx. 3,100 – 2,650 BC

Late Migration Period: 6th century

The Stockhof is one of the eponymous sites of the Bernburg culture and in terms of research history extremely significant. It is a typical representative of those burial mounds from the Middle Neolithic period, which once dominated the area around Bernburg. Few of them have survived until today (Schneiderberg near Baalberge, Spitzes Hoch and Pohlsberg near Latdorf).

On the occasion of a summer excursion of the Berlin Society for Ethnology, Anthropology and Prehistory in 1884, the study of the hill was started by the Bernburg History and Antiquities Society in the presence of Rudolf Virchow, the well-known Berlin anatomist and prehistoric researcher, and completed just after a few days. The findings were not completely recovered by this inadequate examination method.

In the middle of the hill was a construction of stratified fieldstone – a wall chamber grave – with numerous human skeletal remains (collective grave). The dead were partly buried in typical squat position, partly they were disorderly mixed-up. There were no burn marks as observed in the peak high at Latdorf. As grave goods about 60 pottery, flint blades and pierced Canidenzähne (jewelry) were salvaged. Unlike other hills other burials from the Neolithic or Bronze Age were not registered. However a body grave from the Migration Period (6th century) was found on the hillside periphery.

The details of the grave construction and the ceramics found date from the hill around 3000 BC. At that time, the characteristic vase ceramic from the Stockhof, together with the corresponding finds from the Spitzen Hoch, were considered to be so important that in 1892 the Berlin prehistorian Alfred Götze spoke of the so-called “Bernburg type” for the first time. Today, the name “Bernburg Culture” is used for this archaeological group.

The Schneiderberg is a burial mound of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age in Baalberge, a district of Bernburg (Saale). During an excavation in 1901 ceramic vases of an archaeological culture were first discovered here, which later received the name Baalberger culture. So Schneiderberg became the eponymous site for this culture.

The hill has a height of 5.57 m and a circumference of 133 m. Its top is flattened and forms a plateau with a diameter of 8 m. The hill was probably originally surrounded by a ditch, but was heaped up in the 19th century.

The Schneiderberg – Baalberge is located within a allotment garden. Coming from Bernburg, follow the main road Bernburger Straße (L146) first and then leave it at the first slight right-hand bend, going straight on into the bypass. After the second house on the left side, turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the entrance to the allotment garden. There you can park. The burial mound is then a few meters further.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Der Schneiderberg (Tailor Hill)

Middle and Late Neolithic:
Baalberger culture approx. 4,100 – 3,400 BC
Walternienburg-Bernburg culture approx. 3,300 – 2,700 BC
Globular Amphora culture approx. 3,100 – 2,700 BC
Corded Ware culture approx. 2,800 – 2,200 BC

Early and Late Bronze Age:
Unetice culture approx. 2,100 – 1,600 BC
Saale estuary group approx. 1,300 – 700 BC

The Schneiderberg is one of the burial mounds of the Bernburg region, which achieved special fame in archaeological research. His excavation took place in 1901 by the Bernburg History and Antiquity Society under the direction of Ferdinand Kälber and authoritative participation of Paul Höfer (1845-1914), a renowned historian and archaeologist, who later also earned lasting merits in the careful study of the Pohlsberg at Latdorf (1904). The stratigraphic observations made on both burial mounds significantly contributed to the clarification of the chronology of the Middle German Neolithic period.

The stone slab grave in the center of the hill (length: 1.5 m / width: 0.8 m / height: 1.1 m) with a mighty cover plate (about 2.3 mx 3 mx 0.3 m) was about 5.3 m below the hill plateau and contained a bodily burial and two characteristic vase additions (jug and cup, see figure). These were later named for the Baalberg culture of the Middle Neolithic. On the side of it was found as a burial a split stone slab grave with body graves of the Walternienburg-Bernburg or Globular Amphora culture. In the upper mound to the northwest of the central tomb, a body tomb of the Corded Ware culture with a cord cup, oyster pot and silex blade was uncovered. Above the central grave followed several stone boxes with burials of the early Bronze Age, partly with dagger accessories. Finally, some destroyed stone boxes in the lateral mantle of the hill are mentioned, which presumably contained urn graves from the late Bronze Age.

In the immediate eastern neighborhood of the burial mound in 1990 a multi-phase settlement site of the late Bronze Age to early Iron Age and Early Bronze Age graves were uncovered.

The Sieben Steine (Seven Stones) are a group of stones in Preußlitz, a district of Bernburg (Saale) in Saxony-Anhalt, which are either the remains of a group of standing stones or a megalithic tomb. The stones are now in the southeast of Preußlitz in the Cörmigker street directly in front of a residential building opposite the cemetery. Nothing is known about their original location, except that it was a field in the vicinity of Preußlitz. The term “Rügensteine” has two possible origins: Either it goes back to the naming of the group as “a row of stones” (German Riege – Reihe) or the former function as a place of jurisdiction (Rügesteine – rebuke stones or judgment stones).

As the stones are located directly on main road from Preußlitz to Cörmigk access and parking is quite easy.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Die Sieben Steine (The Seven Stones)

Middle Neolithic – Middle Ages approx. 3,500 BC – around 1,500 AD

Opposite the Preußlitzer cemetery on the road to Cörmigk stands a group of six (originally seven) stones. The individual objects are between 0.5 and 1.3 m in size, consist of different types of rock (sandstone, lignite quartzite, granite, gneiss) and have no recognizable traces of working. Their current location is secondary. They are said to have originally been in different locations in the surrounding area. Details are unknown.

Around the stones entwines an old legend, according to which once an old renegade monk with his fiddle enticed three men and three women to dance and thus prevented them from going to church. Monks and dancers were petrified into stone as punishment.

Unfortunately, we can only speculate about the actual origin of the stones and their former significance due to the vague findings. The erection of large stones (so-called menhirs) was a typical phenomenon of prehistoric megalithic, which was widespread in much of Europe from the Middle Neolithic to the early Bronze Age. In the pre-Christian and early Christian periods, such stone settings were sometimes associated with places of religious worship. It would also be possible that they are medieval legal monuments in the sense of rebuke stones or judgment stones.

Finally, the stones may also be remnants of removed megalithic tombs. Neolithic burial mounds and megalithic tombs once existed in the area around Preußlitz. In this context, one must remember the Ilgensteiner Mühlberg, which has disappeared today. It was located about 300 meters east of the Sieben Steine also on the road to Cörmigk and was excavated in 1923 by the Köthener prehistorian Walter Götze (1879 – 1952).

More detailed information about the Teufels Tintenfass (Devil’s Inkpot) in Wiendorf (Könnern) are rare. Whether it is a stone of a megalithic grave is uncertain, probably the stone served as a so-called pawn stone, this marked the legal or social center of rural communities. On such stones arrangements, agreements and business were made, that legal liability possessed.

According to a legend, the devil should have kept his writing tools in the round hollows and thrown the stone here out of anger over the construction of the Wiendorf church.

The stone is located north of the church in the Mittelweg road in front of a  private residence.

Visited April 2019

On the Fuchsberg (Fox Hill), a prehistoric burial ground, two stone chambers were uncovered in the construction of the road between Bernburg and Köthen (today B185) just north of the road, of which one is still preserved. It shows a significant difference in size compared to the other monuments of the Stone Age landscape Latdorf – it is smaller, but also younger.

The Fuchsberg is located in a field, left of the road Bernburg – Köthen, about 300 meters behind the branch to Weddegast. There is no parking directly at the complex, so you have to park the car at the junction to then walk on the road or in the field to the hill. The grave is located on the north side of the Fuchsberg, so it is best to circle around the hill until you meet the information board, from where the tomb is located about 20 meters from the edge.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Der Fuchsberg (The Fox Hill)

Late Neolithic:
Corded Ware culture approx. 2,800 – 2,200 BC

As a now densely overgrown, knoll-shaped hill in the midst of arable land, the so called Fuchsberg is about 1 km northeast of the small village Weddegast and not far from here passing main road B185 between Bernburg and Köthen.

In the course of the expansion of the nearby Bernburg-Köthener Chaussee, the then Bernburg History and Antiquities Association already carried out excavations at the end of the 19th century. They came across two stone slab graves with body burials. They contained as characteristic additions four richly-adorned vessels and three “axes” of rock. The findings reached the archaeological collection of the Städtisches Museum Bernburg, which was founded in 1893, and were subsequently depicted and described in the catalog of Otto Merkel (1911).

Unfortunately, details about the circumstances of the find are not documented and handed down. It is possible that the graves were originally covered by a hill. Today only one of the two stone slab tombs is preserved, which was uncovered again in the 1970s.

On the basis of the grave goods, especially ornate amphorae, the graves of the Fuchsberg can be assigned to the late Neolithic Corded Ware culture, whose bearer approximately in the time between 2.800 and 2.200 BC also populated the Bernburger Land. Corded Ware and their related groups were widespread at the end of the Neolithic period not only in central Germany but also in other parts of Europe as far as southern Scandinavia and Russia. It has become known to us mainly through numerous graves. In the Bernburg region, tombs of the Corded Ware culture occasionally create a post-burial horizon in the large multiphase Neolithic burial mounds, such as the Schneiderberg in Baalberge or the Pohlsberg near Latdorf.

The Pfingstberg is a burial mound near Latdorf, at the top of which stands a menhir. The menhir is also called Totensäule (Pillar of Death) or Schwedenstein (Swedestone). The menhir or grave stele is a slender stone of sandstone about 2 meters high. The Pfingstberg is one of nine burial mounds and megalithic tombs (including the megalithic tomb Bierberg and the megalithic tomb Heringsberg) in the vicinity of Bernburg and Latdorf, which together form the Stone Age Landscape Latdorf. As the only one of these monuments, the Pfingstberg has not been excavated so far, which is why only a few statements about the burial mound itself are possible.

The burial mound is located directly on the road between Bernburg and Latdorf just before a right turn.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Der Pfingstberg (The (Witsun Hill)

Middle Neolithic – Early Bronze Age: ca. 4,100 – 1,600 BC

In the middle of the landscape between Bernburg / Dröbel and Latdorf the Pfingstberg rises in a landscape-exposed position on the hillside of a Saale-glacial terminal moraine above the valley edge of the Saale. Comparable with similar objects in the immediate vicinity, such as the Pohlsberg or the Spitzes Hoch, we can say that this identifiable artificial elevation is also a burial mound, probably built in the Middle Neolithic period. However, the Pfingstberg has not yet been excavated and archaeologically examined.

Noteworthy is a pillar-like, square sandstone column (height about 1.95 m, width about 0.4 m and thickness about 0.3 m), which was built on the hill. Such menhirs (Celtic: long stone) were mainly spread in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula, France, Great Britain and Ireland to Central Europe between the Middle Neolithic and the early Bronze Age and belong like the megalithic tombs to the megalithic ulture. They are not tombstones in the narrower sense, but rather are interpreted as ancestral memorials, which may also have been sacrificed. Since menhirs were not set up exclusively on tombs, we do not know for sure whether the stone pillar that is on the hill today is always there and in terms of content is related to the burial mound.

In the local tradition, there is also the name “Ensign Hill” for the mound. The stone pillar is called a “Pillar of Death” or “Swede Stone”. Behind it is the legend that at this point in the Thirty Years’ War, a Swedish ensign was shot and buried here.

From the pre- and early historical settlement of the area south of Latdorf, numerous archaeological finds and findings from the immediate surroundings of the Pfingstberg bear eloquent witness. These include settlement remains of the early Neolithic, burial grounds of the late Bronze / Early Iron Age, the Roman Empire and from the period of Slavic settlement. Southwest of the Pfingstberg was also the Medieval deserted Prederitz.

Pohlsberg is located south of Latdorf, about 400 meters after the end of the village, on the right side in the field.

Pohlsberg is a multi-phase burial mound of the Neolithic and Bronze Age. In the area there are some more preserved grave mounds, e.g. 1.5 km east the Pfingstberg and 1.5 km west the Spitzes Hoch. The elongated hill is oriented approximately east-west. It has a length of 40 m, a width of 18 m and an average height of 4 m. In 1904 an excavation took place under the direction of Paul Höfer. The finds are now in the castle museum Bernburg.

You drive on the Bernburger Straße (L64) through Latdorf in the direction of Gerbitz. In the middle of the village, turn right (east) into Poleyer Straße, which turns into a dirt road at the end of the village. Follow this road for about 400 m before reaching the Pohlsberg on the right. At the edge of the field a sign was errected in 2011 by the “Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.“.

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Der Pohlsberg

Middle and Late Neolithic
Baalberg culture approx. 4,100 – 3,600 BC
Bernburg culture approx. 3,300 – 2,700 BC
Globular Amphora culture approx. 3,100 – 2,700 BC
Corded Ware culture approx. 2,800 – 2,200 BC

Late Bronze Age: approx. 1,300 – 775 BC

One of the most important burial mounds for the archaeological research history prehistoric in Bernbuerger Land is the Pohlsberg. The long 4m high terrain was threatened by a gravel pit at the beginning of the 20th century. At the suggestion of the Bernburg Historical and Antiquity Society, founded in 1877, fortunately in September 1904 an excavation of the hill was carried out. The excavation was led by Paul Höfer (1845-1914), at that time one of the leading archaeologists in Central Germany. Three years earlier, he was involved in the excavation of the Schneiderberg in Baalberge. Höfer’s precise and for his time very advanced excavation method, namely his specific observation of the deposit conditions, contributed significantly to the clarification of the temporal sequence of the various archaeological groups.

The mound was built in the middle Neolithic period by the bearers of the so-called Baalberg Culture (4,100 – 3,600 BC). It surrounded a stone-tomb built inside. During the Neolithic period, burials were continued by members of the Bernburg culture (3,300 – 2,700 BC), the Globular Amphora culture (3,100 – 2,700 BC) and the Corded Ware culture (2,800 – 2,200 BC). More than 1,000 years later, the late Bronze Age population reused the mound as a place of burial. In contrast to the body burials of the Neolithic period, these are now cremation burials in urns.

A special find ensemble of this period represents a richly equipped sword grave. It was a secondary burial in a cleared stone cist of the Neolithic period. Noteworthy is the peculiar (very slim) clay pot with lid, which contained a number of interesting additions to the ashes of the dead. The sword, a so-called “Griffzungenschwert”, has references to Mycenae. Next there are eight bronze rings, six buttons, one tweezers, one chisel and one needle.

The burial mound Spitzes Hoch is located about 280 meters south of the Steinerne Hütte, on the same dirt road. It is an impressive burial mound in an otherwise rather flat agricultural landscape.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Das Spitze Hoch

Middle and Late Neolithic
Baalberg culture approx. 3,950 – 3,400 BC
Bernburg culture approx. 3,100 – 2,650 BC
Corded Ware culture approx. 2,800 – 2,200 BC

Late Bronze Age
Saale estuary group approx. 1,300 – 775 BC

Spitzes Hoch (= tapered high) is one of the most impressive prehistoric burial mounds in the Bernburg region. The 6 m high and 31 m wide hill was built in the midst of an already largely open landscape on the hill of a glacial terminal moraine. Such an exposed location is characteristic of most of our prehistoric burial mounds, making them landmarks that can be seen from afar.

Spitzes Hoch is a multi-layered burial mound that was used (intermittently) from the Middle Neolithic to the Late Bronze Age. The first grave at this place was built some 6,000 years ago by members of the so-called Baalberg culture. Thereafter, over a longer period of later cultures, burials were repeatedly created and the hill thereby gradually increased.

Spitzes Hoch was the first archaeologically examined burial mound in the Bernburger Land. As early as 1880, excavations were carried out by professor Friedrich Klopffleisch, who at the time had the first chair of prehistory and early history in Germany at the University of Jena. Some characteristic finds were later together with finds from the burial mound Stockhof at Gröna eponymous for an archaeological group of the Middle Neolithic – the Bernburg culture. Among the notable finds of this culture were a decorated clay drum and charred woven fabric remnants, which are among the oldest Central Germany previously known textiles. The finds are kept today in the Museum Schloss Bernburg.

The tomb is located halfway between Latdorf and Borgesdorf south of the L73 directly east on a dirt road. The tomb has a northeast-southwest oriented, slightly trapezoidal burial chamber with a length of about 7 m and a width of about 2.5 m. It is not built of granite boulders, but of sandstone slabs. The tomb is still relatively well preserved. Three capstones are still present, an access to the burial chamber is not visible. In the summer, the grave is probably overgrown and difficult to photograph especially from the east.

You drive from Latdorf on the L64 in the direction of Gerbitz. Approximately 450 m behind Latdorf, turn left onto the L73 in the direction of Borgesdorf. The road leads first to the southeast and then after about 700 m east around a lime dump around. Shortly before the road makes another bend, turn right into a dirt road. Here you can park or carry on about 150 meters before the grave is immediately left of the dirt road.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Steinerne Hütte (Stone Hut)

Middle Neolithic period: approx. 4,100 – 2,700 BC

The Steinerne Hütte is a burial ground that was built in the middle Neolithic period (about 4,100 – 2,700 BC) by the people of the so-called funnel beaker culture (in our area so by representatives of the Baalberger and the Bernburg culture). Such giant’s grave (megalithic tombs) were widespread in large parts of western, northern and central Europe, with the known megalithic tombs in the Bernberg-Köthen area belong to the southernmost representatives.

The imposing construction of the megalithic tomb (length: approx. 8 m, width: approx. 2 m, height: approx. 1.5 m) was reconstructed in 1958 by the state museum of prehistory Halle / Saale. It was constructed from cut sandstone slabs. In addition to the 10 support stones and 5 cover plates, several upright limestone plates have been preserved in the northwestern part of the burial chamber as well as remains of a floor plaster.

The tomb was formerly probably covered by a hill. Unfortunately, its removal took place at a time when archaeological findings were neither observed nor documented, in the present case probably before the 19th century. A consideration is based here on a destruction of the hill in the Thirty Years’ War, when in the fall of 1644 around Latdorf a huge Swedish army camp was built, for whose fortifications one could use the soil well. In addition, in 1918, the improper opening of the excavated burial chamber was said to have occurred, with all finds lost.

As a result, in the present case, we have no information on the findings. Readings (pottery shards and flint tools), which were made in connection with security work and site inspections, however, date safely to the Neolithic period. Due to the characteristic construction and numerous comparable findings it can be assumed that the people of the above-mentioned Baalberger or the Bernburg culture were the builders of the megalithic grave, and probably also subsequent uses by later cultures, such as in the Bronze Age, took place.

The passage grave Grimschleben 2 is located under a group of trees on the Bierberg directly on the edge of the road that leads over Latdorf to Bernburg. The impressive passage grave consists of probably carved sandstone blocks and has a length of 6.8 m and an outer width of about three meters, at a height of about two meters. Eleven carrying and four capstones are preserved, west there is a lateral access from two pairs of supporting stones and a capstone. Seen from the north in the direction of the longitudinal axis, the dolmen acts as a compact, closed stone house with a regular shape.

Drive on the L64 from Gerbitz towards Latdorf. About 1.5 km after you leave the village, the tomb is located at the highest point of the road directly on the left side, you can’t miss it.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Der Bierberg – Grimschleben 2 (The Ale Hill)

Middle Neolithic about 3,500 – 2,700 BC Chr.

Hard on the eastern edge of the street from Latdorf to Gerbitz, in a striking terrain on a hill, the Bierberg is located, one of the most impressive prehistoric tombs of the Bernburg country.

The monumental megalithic tomb (giant’s grave) presents itself as a slightly sunken, trapezoidal chamber made of carved sandstone blocks from the immediate vicinity. It is oriented in north-south direction, measures 6.8 m in length and 2-4 m in width and has on the west side a 1.5 m long access. Apparently the burial chamber was once covered by a hill.

The grave was already mentioned in 1710 at J.C.BECKMANN, robbed in 1817 when removing soil and again dig in 1918 by bailiff ÖHLMANN improperly. Several “urns” and a cup-shaped vessel are mentioned. However, the finds have disappeared, so that no direct time-piriod or cultural classification is possible. Whether there were other burial places in the hill besides the primary grave, also has to remain open because of the sparse history of the story.

Comparably similar megalithic tombs in the closer environment, like the Steinerne Hütte in Latdorf, the Heringsberg in Grimschleben, the Hoher Berg in Wulfen or the Teufelskeller in Drosa, it is also a tomb created in the middle Neolithic, during the Walternienburger or Bernburger culture.

It thus joins the megalithic grave architecture that was widespread at that time over large parts of northern, western and central Europe up to our region.

The megalithic tomb Grimschleben 1 or Heringsberg belongs to the type of a grand dolmen and is located east of Bernburg at Nienburg-Grimschleben in the “Stone Age Landscape Latdorf” (between the Saale and the L73), which consists of several megalithic tombs and burial mounds. Overall, the tomb seems to be well preserved. Due to the flat construction and the fact that the grave is partially filled with earth, the end of the unusually large dolmen can not be clearly seen. Preserved are six support stones and at least five capstones. The chamber is of trapezoidal shape, oriented southwest-northeast. Length is at least 9 m, width over 3 m at the north-east end. At least the orthostat in the north-east end is missing.

In Grimschleben drive the Thomas-Müntzer-Straße south to the village exit. There it turns into a dirt road that leads to Latdorf. Follow this for about 300 meters to a group of trees to the right in the field. The tomb is located here.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board
Arbeitskreis Archäologie im Bernburger Land e.V.:

Heringsberg – Grimschleben 1 (Herring Hill)

Middle Neolithic period: approx. 4,100 – 2,700 BC Chr.
Late Bronze Age: approx. 1.300 – 750 BC.

In the Middle Neolithic period, monumental stone grave monuments, so-called giant’s graves (megalithic tombs), were erected in large parts of northern, central and western Europe. Such a prehistoric tomb is also the Heringsberg. Together with other megalithic tombs in the vicinity (Steinerne Hütte near Latdorf, Bierberg near Gerbitz, Teufelskeller near Drosa, Hoher Berg near Wulfen) it counts to the southernmost representatives of such tombs in Central Europe.

The tomb was once covered by a mighty mound (height: 10 m, diameter: 70 m). His uncontrolled removal took place in 1729. Fortunately, this circumstance, a plan as well as information on the finds found here were handed down to us by Casper ABEL 1730 in his “Sächsischen Altertümern” (“Saxon Antiquities”). Accordingly, a vessel and bones are said to have been found in the burial chamber. In addition, other stone cists and urns (vessels with burned bones) were found in the mound, which are apparently burials of the late Bronze Age. Since the finds have not been preserved, only generally Middle Neolithic age can be assumed for the initial use of the burial site on the basis of comparative findings.

The former character of the monument as a dominant landmark is today severely disturbed by the nearby lime dumps.

The origin and meaning of the name Heringsberg can not be safely determined. There may be a connection with the well-known from the Old Thuringian mythology hero Iring, who according to people’s faith here his final resting place. More widespread, however, is the legend that Heringsberg is the tomb of Prince Buzico, which again refers to an ancestor of the ancient Wettins. The legends at least show that (long before archaeologists came on the scene) our ancestors were aware that Heringsberg and other comparable hills in our area were prehistoric tombs.

The tomb is located north of Drosa in a field. Already around 1700 the megalithic site was uncovered and got the name Teufelskeller (Devil’s cellar). Today, only six support stones and a huge and impressive capstone are preserved. The tomb originally had a mound, which had an extent of 19-20 m in north-south direction. In the vicinity of the tomb, two larger granite blocks were discovered, which probably belonged to a stone enclosure. The first had a height of about 1 m, the second a height of at least 2 m and a width of over 1 m.

The site gives the impression of a simple dolmen, but it is originally a passage grave. On the southern side was a 3-meter-long and 90-cm-wide corridor through which the dead were carried to the burial place for burial. The passage and the burial chamber separated a sill stone.

Drosa is located about 8.5 km northwest of Köthen (Anhalt) and just under a kilometer west of Wulfen. Already from the center of Drosa the grave is signposted and easy to find. Drive on the K2091 from Drosa towards Dornbock. After you leave the village turn right into the road Zum Großsteingrab, which leads in a north-east direction. Follow this road for about 700 m, passing allotment gardens to your left. Turn left at the end of allotment gardens, there is a parking lot and rest area. There is a path from here leading in 150 m to the tomb.

Visited April 2019

Wulfen (also Hoher Berg) is a very well preserved neolithic megalithic tomb on the Hohen Berg in Wulfen. Originally there were two megalithic tombs in Wulfen, but one of them was destroyed in 1883. The preserved site belongs to the type of the passage graves. It consists of eight wall and three cover stones. The length of the tomb is 3.60 m. On the south side there is an access to the burial chamber. The tomb was discovered in 1784 and opened. The findings are now in the Museum of Köthen and testify to a long-lasting use of the grave. The tomb is to be considered, historically, as the most important and richest site of Anhalt.

The site is unfortunately not signposted. Coming from Köthen, one drives shortly after the village sign on the left in the street Hoher Berg. After about 230 m you reach the tomb, which is located on the right of the road on a small, well-kept mound.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board:

Megalithic tomb Wulfen

The remainder of a megalithic burial site on the Hohen Berg was discovered here on the occasion of a rabbit hunt in 1784, the grave mound on the eastern side was dug up and the gable stone removed. There were a few urns “and other oddities”. To get in comfortably, the grave contents of sand and clay were dug up and a door was placed on the east side, the key handed over to Pastor Renthe in Wulfen.
Excavations of the megalithic tomb, which was covered by a mound of 34 x 16 m in diameter and a maximum height of 4.5 m, took place in 1912 by W. Götze, Köthen. The roughly square burial chamber is oriented almost west-east, 1.80 m wide and 5.10 m long.
The inner height was from the ground, which formed a sandstone slab layer, to the ceiling 1.70 m. On the southern side is the almost 3 m long, 0.70 m to 0.95 m wide access to the burial chamber. A large stone, lying over the sill stone, closed this opening.
Of the 18 supporting stones and capstones are still eleven available. The finds of 1784 have been lost. The excavation of 1912 yielded a small vessel, some shards and flint equipment (Walternienburg culture and Bernburg culture of the Neolithic period 2700 – 2300 BC) and in the upper layers of the mound the skeleton of a executed in the late Middle Ages. The finds are in the depot of the archaeological monument care of the district administration Köthen.

The stone cist of Plömnitz is a 2.30 meter long cist made of large sandstone slabs. The two long sides with two or one stone and one narrow side stand upright, next to the stone cist lies one stone of the other narrow side. A capstone is not present. The stone cist was excavated in Plömnitz at the beginning of the 20th century and moved here.

During my visit the stone cist was heavily overgrown with ivy. I ran past the cist several times without noticing it. So you just have to believe that the cist is pictured on the images. In the internet I found the following picture showing the cist without the ivy (Steinkiste Plömnitz @ www.koethener-land.de).

Entering the castle through the main entrance leads directly to the stone cist, which is in flowering bed, 70 m left of the entrance near a cafe. Unfortunately, there is no sign and no board with explanations to the grave.

Visited April 2019

This 5,000-year-old stone cist known as “Schortewitzer Rampenkiste” was originally located northwest of Schortewitz on the Fuhne on the Windmühlenberg. It was not far from the megalithic tomb Schortewitz. The burial mound had a diameter of about 40 meters and this contained a grave with the skeleton of a man. In 2001 it was rebuilt on the Ferdinandsbau of the Köthen castle.

Entering the castle through the main entrance, turning right over a bridge over a moat and then through the gate, you enter a U-shaped, large courtyard. Somewhat hidden behind the end of the left (north) wing is the stone cist. I didn’t find any sign and no board with explanations about the grave.

Visited April 2019

On the grounds of Schloss Köthen there are two relocated stone cists next to a prehistoric collection in Ferdinandsbau. The 5,000 year old, as “Schortewitzer Rampenkiste” known megalithic site was originally northwest of Schortewitz in Saxony-Anhalt on the Fuhne on the Windmühlenberg, not far from the megalithic tomb Schortewitz. The stone cist of Plömnitz comes from Plömnitz and was excavated by the district conservator Walter Götze at the beginning of the 20th century and relocated here.

Visited April 2019

The megalithic tomb Schortewitz, also known as Schortewitzer Heidenberg (Heidenberg meaning pagan hill), is located on the northern outskirts of Schortewitz. It is a 6.80 meters long Neolithic passage grave and, according to a local information board, the southernmost megalithic tomb in central Germany. Ten supporting stones and two capstones are present. Unfortunately, at some places there have been made supplement in the form of concrete and small stones quite unprofessional, the fencing of the site is also, in my opinion, little succeeded.

Drive on the K2071 from Görzig towards Schortewitz. Just after you entered the village, the road slighty bends to the right. Drive straight on into the Heidenberg road. The tomb lies to the left (north) behind the house with the number 5. There is a small meadow path which leads to the tomb and a outdoor amphitheatre.

Visited April 2019

Gehrden 1 belongs to the type of a chamberless Hunenbeds and represents as such the only surviving megalithic tomb of this type in Saxony-Anhalt. And wow, this northwest-southeast orientated hunebed is really of impressive size. It has a length of 51 meters and is almost completely preserved. Of the original sixty-five stones made of granite and porphyry, fifty-eight are still present. Some are missing on the northeastern long side as well as on the narrow sides. In contrast to the usual trapezoidal arrangement, they are arranged at right angles. The on site information board states that these large stones served to cover the burial chambers, this is certainly wrong. Ceramics of globular amphorae culture were found in the Hunebed.

Drive on the K1233 from Gehrden towards Lübs. Immediately before leaving the village, there is an entrance to a farm on the left side. Turn left here, park the car and walk along a track leading in a southwestern direction. The path then passes between sheep barns, pastures and a game reserve until you reach the complex after about 220 meters.

Visited April 2019

Lütnitz belongs to the type of passage graves and is oriented east-west. Three of the four stones of a former burial enclosure are still present. The only surviving capstone has been broken and dropped into the burial chamber. From the enclosure are still some stones recognizable. In the Hunebed ceramic remains of the recent Tiefstichkeramik culture were found, in the burial chamber from the Globular Amphora Culture.

Drive on the L60 from Ladeburg in the direction of Möckern. Approximately 3.2 kilometers past Ladeburg, a dirt road branches off to the left and the right, take the left one. Continue on this dirt road for about 280 m and park here at a dirt road junction. Walk straight on from here for about 150 m, the tomb lies 35 m in the field to your left under a group of trees.

Visited April 2019

Körbelitz or Hoher Stein is a dolmen with a chamber oriented in the north-east-west-southwest direction, of which only the western part is preserved. The eastern part of the chamber is not preserved, so its original length and exact type of tomb can not be determined. The northern long side has two, the southern still a supporting stone. An endstone is present, as well as a capstone. The capstone has several cups on its top. It has a circumference of 5.8 m, a length of 2 m and a width of 1.4 m. Up to 1790/99 two more enclosure should have existed.

Drive on the L52 from Körbelitz to Wörmlitz. At the end of the village, the road make a sharp left turn. 725 m after the bend, a brown sign points into a dirt road that leads to the tomb. Drive around 350 m on this track until you reach the parking lot for the tomb. Walk the remaining 200 m to this nice dolmen from here.

Visited April 2019

taken from the information board at the parking lot

The Giant Tomb

Rest of a megalithic tomb from the Stone Age

The megalithic tomb is considered the oldest testimony to the settlement of this area in the Neolithic period from 4.500 – 1.800 BC.

A large stone covers four smaller stones. Three of them are supporting the capstone.
The mound, which once surrounded the stones and covers the tomb, has long since been cleared away by wind and weather over the past centuries.

Originally the tomb was bigger. It should have continued to the east. Until 1790/99 two so-called Hunebeds should still have existed. For the construction of the tomb site, the boulders of various sizes, which were carried by the glacial glaciers from the north and subsequently deposited, were used.

This is also shown by the large stone of the war memorial 1914 – 18 in front of the church in Körbelitz, because the stone was retrieved in the immediate vicinity of the Hunebed 1921 from Schwarze acre.

The megalithic tomb was placed under protection on 1 July 1956 and has since been considered a ground monument. It is located along the communal grounds of the district Körbelitz west of the dirt road to Büden southeast of the village location.

The legend of the megalithic tomb is available from the local folklore society.

Pfahlberg is believed to be the remains of a megalithic tomb consisting of six support stones. On a round mound lies some stones or fragments. A no longer complete stone with a well-recognizable borehole represents a remainder of the chamber.

Already in historical time the tomb served for the extraction of building material. Stonecutter had crushed the large stones mainly and transported away, so that essentially debris was left behind. The tomb remained untouched for a long time. During the time of the GDR, a large housing estate was built south of the Pfahlberg. The burial mound became a popular playground. In this context, it came again to interventions in the mound. Therefore, the tomb was archaeologically examined in 1984. During the excavation, it was found that the burial chamber originally consisted of about six wall stones and inside a dimension of 2 – 3 meters long and 1 meter wide. Skeletal remains and a cup were found in the former burial chamber.

Pfahlberg is the only megalithic grave in Magdeburg in which some stones or fragments can still be seen.

Access to the remains of this tomb is located between the Pfahlberg business park and the A2 motorway (junction Magdeburg Zentrum), directly behind a large furniture store. There is also an information board.

Visited April 2019

The tomb lies about 2.4 km northwest of the village in the forest.

Immekath 1 is a grand dolmen consisting of at three pairs of supporting stones probably without an enclosure. The current state of preservation is bad, several supporting stones and capstones are missing. The existing capstone lies diagonally in the chamber. The rectangular chamber is east-west orientated, 3.7 m long and 1.6 m wide. Six wall stones and one of formerly three capstones is preserved. The capstone measures 2 m x 1.8 m x 0.8 m.

Drive from Immekath on the K1117 in the direction to Riestedt. As the road turns north, a cobblestone road heads west, just before the last houses of Immekath. This road leads to the sports field. Continue straight on, the road becomes a gravel and sand track, and after 1.4 km you reach the edge of the forest, park here. Walk. Follow the path for 200 meters and turn right, behind an older, fenced-in conservation. Follow this path in northern direction for about 350 m, passing a conservation of recent date on the left side. Shortly after this conservation, you follow a branching off to the left, which is rather overgrown, and then reaches the tomb after about 100 meters.

Visited April 2019

The tomb lies about 2 km northwest of the village on a tilled field in a small depression on a western slope, without direct access.

Immekath 2 is a grand dolmen consisting of at least four pairs of supporting stones. The current state of preservation is bad, only part of the chamber is present, the mound is heavily plowed. In 1931 it is said that there were still two enclosure stones, which were missing in 1932. The chamber is northwest-southeast orientated, according to Danneil the chamber was 7.5 m long, 3.8 m wide and had four capstones. Today, only one capstone and five wall stones are present, the chamber is 6.2 m long and 1.2 m inside. The capstone measures 2.3m x 1.7 m x 0.9 m.

Drive from Immekath on the K1117 in the direction to Riestedt. As the road turns north, a cobblestone road heads west, just before the last houses of Immekath. This road leads to the sports field. Continue straight on, the road becomes a gravel and sand track, and after 1.4 km you reach the edge of the forest, park here. The tomb lies 200 meters north of the slope and 50 meters before the edge of the forest in the field. That means it is recommend to visit the site only, if the field is lying fallow.

Visited April 2019

About 30 meters further southwest of Tangeln 4 lie some stones, which could be the remains of a megalithic tomb that may have been mentioned e.g. by Krause / Schoetensack. Above ground 4 stones are still preserved, which however no longer show any structure of the tomb. It might be the remains of Tangel 2 or 3, since there were probably in this area.

Park at the (private) entranceway of Schloss Neumühle. A forest road starts left of the access. Follow the road slightly uphill for about 500 m. At the highest point, a path turns southwest sharply to the right. Follow this path, after 400 m the tomb lies about 40 m in the forest.

Visited April 2019

The tomb is badly damaged and can no longer be assigned to a type. The still recognizable, eroded burial mound has a diameter of 14 meters and is about 0.5 m high. Two support stones and one capstone are still present. An enclosure is not recognizable.

Park at the (private) entranceway of Schloss Neumühle. A forest road starts left of the access. Follow the road slightly uphill for about 500 m. At the highest point, a path turns southwest sharply to the right. Follow this path, after 400 m the tomb lies about 40 m in the forest.

Visited April 2019

Tangeln 5 is a grand dolmen consisting of seven (?) pairs of supporting stones and likely an enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate. All capstones are sunken, the wall stones tilted, pushed apart and therefore not all assignable. Enclosure stones are scattered. An enclosure was probably present, but the form can not be reconstructed. A maximum of four or five enclosure stones are preserved. The northwest-southeast oriented burial chamber was probably rectangular and measures 11.5 meters long and 4 meters wide. About 16 wall stones and at least five capstones are preserved.

Park at the (private) entranceway of Schloss Neumühle. A forest road starts left of the access. Follow the road slightly uphill for about 500 m. At the highest point, a path turns southwest sharply to the right. Follow this path, after 400 m you pass Tangeln 4 and 150 m further on there is the turnoff to the tomb.

Visited April 2019

Another still unnumbered tomb was discovered in 2006 after hints from inhabitants. It is 800 meters southeast of Mellin and 700 meters south-southwest of Tangeln 5.

Most of the stones are said to have been taken away in the 1920s. The destruction is too strong to be associated with a particular type of tomb. The current state of preservation is very poor, only a few stones are still existing. A mound is missing because the tomb had been incorporated into a natural hill. A grave border can not be identified. The burial chamber is oriented east-west. Three wall stones and a capstone have been preserved above ground. The chamber is rectangular, 3.6 meters long and 2.3 meters wide.

To find this tomb, it is recommended to use a GPS device. Park at the (private) entranceway of Schloss Neumühle. A forest road starts left of the access. Follow the road slightly uphill for about 500 m. At the highest point, a path turns southwest sharply to the right. Follow this path, after 400 m you pass Tangeln 4 and 150 m further on Tangeln 5. 150 m after the turnoff to Tangeln 5 (that means 700 m after the sharp turn), another path turns off in a more southerly direction. Follow this path for about 570 m (last 50 m downhill) until you came to a T-junction. Turn right here further downhill and follow the narrow pass for about 70 m and look for a trail that leads up the left slope. Follow the trail and you should reach the tomb lies after about 100 m.

Visited April 2019

From the original site today only the burial mound and a wall stone of the burial chamber are preserved. It seems that at least until the 1960s, more stones were available. The burial mound can still be seen very well, but unfortunately it was completely ploughed up to remove the stones. It is oriented east-west and of oval shape. It has a length of approx. 16 m, a width of 12 m and a height of 0.9 m. The wall stone measures 1.3 m × 1.2 m. It is reddish and has a smooth inside.

There seems to be an easier access route than I chose for my visit, as I parked at the (private) entranceway to Schloss Neumühle and walked about 3km via Tangeln 6 from there.

Drive, just like for Tangeln 6, from Immekath to Ristedt and turn there to Neu Ristedt. At the end of the village, the road turns into a dirt road, which continues to the forest. Since this road seems to be an official road, follow it to a star-shaped crossing (six-arm). There you turn off the car and turn in the sharp left to the main turning. After 380 meters the path makes a slight bend to the left. From here you could get to the grave cross-country or on smaller forest roads using a navigation device. Otherwise, follow the main road for another 730 meters to a major crossing road. Turn right and follow it for about 700 meters to a smaller, right-turning path. There you turn off and follow this path for 100 meters, until the left side of the trail you can still see the clearly visible mound.

Visited April 2019

Tangeln 6 is a grand dolmen consisting of four pairs of supporting stones and likely a rectangular or oval enclosure. The current state of preservation is very good. Almost all stones are still present, but partly heavily covered with moss; few enclosure stones have been overturned. The enclosure as well as the chamber are northwest-southeast oriented. The enclosure measures 23.6 m x 5.2 m (in the northern part) to 6.4 m (in the southern part). Thirty-two of formerly thirty-eight enclosure stones are visible. Probably outside the enclosure, before the southeastern end, stood two now overturned guardian stones. The chamber meassures 5 m x 1.5-1.8 m and lies in the northwest part of the enclosure. All ten wall stones and four capstones are preserved, two capstone are sunk and completely overgrown, as well as most of the wall stones. Unfortunately, the vegetation continues to spread in the tomb, making it increasingly difficult to identify the entire structure.

There seems to be an easier access route than I chose for my visit, as I parked at the (private) entranceway to Schloss Neumühle and walked about 2km from there.

Drive from Immekath to Ristedt and turn there to Neu Ristedt. At the end of the village, the road turns into a dirt road, which continues to the forest. Since this road seems to be an official road, follow it to a star-shaped crossing (six-arm). There you turn off the car and go straight ahead to the 2nd junction. Here you turn left. After another 300 meters you should see the mound of the tomb on your left, which is located 60 meters from the path in the forest.

Visited April 2019

The current state of preservation of Tangeln 1 is bad, therefore the grave type is no longer recognizable. No capstones are preserved or visible, enclosure stones are only partially preserved and in the middle the tomb was gutted and the chamber destroyed. The enclosure as well as the chamber are probable north-south oriented. The enclosure measures 20 m long and 8.5 m wide, the length of the chamber is no longer recognizable, the width is 1.4 m. The mound is clearly visible from the path, about 20.5 m long, 11.3 m wide and 0.6 – 0.8 m high.

Since Tangeln 1 is about 100 meters north of Tangeln 7, the same directions apply.

Drive from Tangeln on the K1396 towards Mellin. Just before the road turns onto the B45, the road makes a sharp right-hand bend. Here one drives straight out and parks the car directly on the right side, since a private road begins here. Walk, after about 60 m a path leads to the left. Follow this path, which first goes in a southern direction, before it turns after 100 m to northeast to lead around a field. After another 100 m the path turns to a southeast direction and leads in 350m first to the edge of a forest before it turn in a southern direction. After 120 m Tangeln 1 lies about 60 m to the left.

Visited April 2019

Tangeln 7 is a grand dolmen consisting of two pairs of supporting stones and a rectangular enclosure. The current state of preservation is moderate. No capstones are preserved, enclosure stones are only partially preserved and fallen outwards. The enclosure as well as the chamber are north-south oriented. The southern part of the enclosure is missing, the remaining width is 7.2 m, eleven enclosure stones are visible, of which three are still standing, another is broken. The chamber meassures 3.1 m x 1m. All six upright support stones are preserved, however, there are no capstones on the chamber. The supporting stones are still buried up to the top in the mound, which is 17.5 m long, 11 m wide and 1 m high.

Since Tangeln 7 is about 100 meters south of Tangeln 1, the same directions apply.

Drive from Tangeln on the K1396 towards Mellin. Just before the road turns onto the B45, the road makes a sharp right-hand bend. Here one drives straight out and parks the car directly on the right side, since a private road begins here. Walk, after about 60 m a path leads to the left. Follow this path, which first goes in a southern direction, before it turns after 100 m to northeast to lead around a field. After another 100 m the path turns to a southeast direction and leads in 350m first to the edge of a forest before it turn in a southern direction. After 120 m Tangeln 1 lies about 60 m to the left. To visit Tangeln 7 continue for further 70 m on this path, until you reach a small crossing with path leading to the left in a southeast direction. Following this path for about 100 m until you see a mound, about 20 m to the right of the path. Tangeln 7 lies within this mound.

Visited April 2019

taken from wikipedia:

The six tombs are located in a forest near Tangeln and Mellin. After older investigations by Johann Friedrich Danneil (1843), Eduard Krause and Otto Schoetensack (1893) as well as Wilhelm Blasius (1904) there were originally at least two more tombs (tomb 2 and tomb 3). In a new recording in 2003 of these, however, no traces were found. According to an inhabitant, these seemed to have been destroyed by the new forest owners in mid-1990s. In return, however, another tomb was discovered in 2006, which had not been mentioned by the researchers of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

This over one meter large stone has several very large and deep cups. In size, depth and shape, these cups differ significantly from those on other stones in the Altmark region. This stone should not be a former capstone of a megalithic tomb. Presumably, the grooves were expanded by human hands to cupss and are more of natural origin. This does not exclude the usage as a cult stone (as the name Siedengriebener Butterstein [=butter stone] suggest).

The stone lies in the grounds of Burg Beetzendorf. From the parking lot to the castle park and hotel Beverhol you go to the castle ruins. Before leaving the ruins, leave the main path to the left and follow the path leading past the open-air stage. After a small hill, before reaching a pond, the stone is on the right side.

Visited April 2019