A Roman fortification on the Burgberg at Hedemünden (Lkr. Göttingen)?

Abstract

The circular rampart Hünenburg on the Burgberg at Hedemünden was not a »Roman fortification« of the Augustan- early Tiberian period. This was already indicated by the composition of the finds which is completely different to those of ascertained Roman military camps of this period. However, the composition does principally correspond to sites such as Kalkriese (battle field) and Döttenbichl close to Oberammergau (sacrificial site). The finds from the Burgberg were discovered in or on top of a relatively thin layer of soil. The ring ditch was inserted only later, probably during the 1st century AD. Evidence for ritual depositions indicates that the mentioned Augustan layer of artefacts finds its origin in a Germanic sacrificial site. It is possible that the later ring ditch served as an enclosure (»temenos«) of the supposed sacrificial site. More excavations and analyses are necessary to understand this extremely interesting site to its full extent and appreciate it properly.