Forschungen in der späthallstattzeitlichen Befestigungsanlage von Althayingen bei Indelhausen

Abstract

Research into the Late Hallstatt Fortifications at Althayingen near Indelhausen

Between 2020 and 2024, the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege im Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart investigated the impressive fortifications at Althayingen near Hayingen-Indelhausen (Lkr. Reutlingen/DE). Prospections and excavations revealed evidence of a hilltop settlement that was fortified during the Late Hallstatt period. Of particular note was the discovery of a fortified gateway that had been destroyed by fire. A striking feature of the archaeofauna from Althayingen is the very high proportion of domestic pigs (almost 90 % by the number of finds). Architectural similarities and the recovered artefacts suggest close links to the Late Hallstatt centre of power at the Heuneburg, located 23 km away. Althayingen’s location directly above the Große Lauter is probably related to controlling the transport axis to the north, towards the Neckar.