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Editorial 5 Harald Meller, Thomas Weber

Foreword by the editors

7 Harald Meller
posts
The Nebra Sky Disc –
an Early Bronze Age find of exceptional importance

21 Wolfhard Schlosser
On the astronomical interpretation of the Nebra Sky Disc

24 Ernst Pernicka, Christian-Heinrich Wunderlich

Scientific studies on the finds from Nebra

32 Gerd Seidel
Small monuments in the Burgenland district. A necessary polemic

34 Aribert Weigelt
Old and new long-distance routes in relation to urban planning
Spatial formation in Central Germany

38 Stefan Tebruck
Neuenburg via Freyburg/Unstrut and the Landgraves of
Thuringia in the 12th and 13th centuries

46 Rudolf Drössler and Manuela Freyberg

The Swiss archaeologist Otto Hauser and the
»Otto Hauser scientific private collection« in Zeitz

51 Roman Mischker
Mining Archeology in the State Office for Archeology

61 Alfred R. Volker
Geophysics at the service of archaeology

63 Edgar Lahman and Heiko Meyer

The association »Young Archaeologists of the Altmark e. V."

67 Rosemarie Leineweber
Archeology - young at heart. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the
association »Young Archaeologists of the Altmark e. V."

71 Hans Joachim Jilo

Research on an Early Bronze Age burial ground in Bergwitz, district of Wittenberg

73 Wolfgang Donath
La Tène belt hanging from the Pettin vineyard

74 Kurt Klausnitzer
50 years of preservation of historical monuments
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CONTENTS

77 Hans-Joachim Jasiulek
Three decades as a voluntary archaeologist

80 Renate Völker
Late love Archeology - and of all places in the Harz region, which is empty of finds

83 Christian Heinrich Wunderlich

»Light culture«: faux pas, potholes and candelabra. Prehistoric lighting technology in
the museum night

95 Dieter Kaufman
The State Museum of Prehistory during the Halle Museum Nights

97 Johanna Brabandt
The day of the open monument 2000 and 2001

100 Johanna Brabandt

Awarded the Monument Prize of the State of Saxony-Anhalt in 2000 and 2001

103 Johanna Brabandt

German Prize for Monument Protection 2001 awarded to Wernfried Fieber

105 Bertolt Schmidt

Rudolf and Margarete Allmann – To commemorate

108 Andreas Hille

Obituary for Werner Helmecke

excavation reports111 Cornelius Hornig

Archaeological preservation of monuments in the administrative district of Dessau

120 Thomas Weber

Archaeological preservation of monuments in the administrative district of Magdeburg

128 Matthew Becker

Archaeological preservation of monuments in the government district of Halle

136 Hans-Joachim Behnke

A prehistoric treasure trove: for the rescue excavation in an excavation pit
in the center of Freyburg, Steinstraße 9, Burgenland district, in 2001

144 Andreas Siegl

A new stone box grave of the Saale estuary group near Drosa, district of Köthen

153 Tanja Krecher-Autze

A settlement from the older, pre-Roman Iron Age near Gardelegen, district of Salzwedel

157 Kirstin Funke

Archaeological investigations near Gröna and Aderstedt

161 Holger Trimpert

Cathedral immunity and baroque garden. Archaeological investigations
in front of the orangery of Moritzburg Castle in Zeitz, Burgenland district

169 Holger Rode

An archaeological investigation in Trebitz Castle, Ldrk. Wittenberg

174 Heiko Breuer

A medieval shoe from the excavation in Trebitz Castle, district of Wittenberg
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CONTENTS

176 Axel Lungershausen

Preliminary report on the excavation in Badergasse in Hohenmölsen, Weißenfels district

183 Christian Gildhoff

Archaeological observations on the building history of the Westerburg in the district of Halberstadt

190 Uwe Moss

New insights into the town history of Weißenfels

196 Rainer Kuhn

Excavations in the area between the cathedral and the state
parliament in the southern city center of Magdeburg

201 Brigitta Kunz

Archaeological excavations at Magdeburg Cathedral Square in
the area of Breite Weg 5-7

205 Cornelius Hornig

The dugout from Muldenstein, District of Bitterfeld

210 Hartmut Bock

Ground plan excavation of a Low German hall house in Rundling Maxdorf (1996–2000)

215 Hans-Joachim Behnke

Rescue excavation on the Reinsdorf-Wischroda electricity pylon route in
Bad Bibra, Burgenland district, in 2000

223 Ralph Küchenmeister

The results of the excavations along the Freyburg bypass, Burgenland district

228 Norbert Piller

Rarity from the well shaft. Excavations on the JAGAL natural gas pipeline

231 Katrin Bemmann

The deserted village of Großzöberitz. A JAGAL excavation in the Bitterfeld district

234 Ines Gerhardt and Ralf Küchenmeister

Preliminary report on the excavations along the raw material pipeline Rostock-Böhlen
(RRB), lot 1, between Zscherben, Saalkreis, and Kleingörschen, district Weißenfels

247 Helge Jarecki and Renate Schafberg

Profits and losses of a route excavation.
The multi-period find spot of Gröbers 6 in the Saalkreis

263 Helge Jarecki

Aerial photograph and archaeological findings: a comparison

267 Ulrike Petersen and Michael Krecher

The excavations at the Wolmirstedt bypass. A preliminary report

Messages 273 Cornelia Johansen

10th General Assembly of the Archaeological Society on March 24th
and 25th, 2001 in Neuenburg near Freyburg/Unstrut

277 Bernd W. Bahn

Excursion of the Archaeological Society in the area east of Freyburg/Unstrut

280 Bernd W. Bahn

Extraordinary general meeting of the Archaeological Society on September 15, 2001
in Halberstadt
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CONTENTS

282 Bernd W. Bahn

Autumn excursion of the Archaeological Society to the excavation area B6n

285 Wernfried fever

The Archaeological Society visits the exhibition
»Otto the Great, Magdeburg and Europe«

Find reports 287 excavations, findings, finds and inventoried archaeological monuments

Current 321 calendar

322 publications

323 Personalia

324 Index of authors

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The Nebra Sky Disk–

an early Bronze Age find from
exceptional importance1
Harold Meller

When the star of the Pleiades, the daughters of Atlas, rises,

Then begin the harvest, but plow when they go down;
They are shrouded together for forty nights and forty
days, but when they appear shining again in the
circling year, only then begin to whet the sickle: So it is the
custom in field cultivation...
Hesiod, Works and Days, verses 383-388

Introduction could estimate. Was unusual in this one

It is one of the basic phenomena of archeology
that extraordinarily important finds were
recovered more rarely in regular excavations
than by chance and mostly improperly2. Until
the late 2o. Century, this happened mostly during
earthworks, if not specifically in monuments
that are visible above the ground, e.g. B. burial
mounds was intentionally tampered with.
This changed abruptly with the development
and dissemination of high-performance metal
Even if it was possible - even if only years later -
to secure the find by the police, hand it over to
the responsible state museum and the entire
history of the find - robbery excavation, purchase
and resale -, to determine the people
involved and thus also the location.
find history
During a visit to the Museum of Morning and Morning

probes. Since then, amateur archaeologists have
been roaming through fields and forests to help
coincidence with ever more powerful devices3.
Many well-known archaeological monuments
became West German as a result of targeted inspections
lands largely plundered. In East Germany, this
was only possible after the unification of the two and fragments of arm spirals lay a bronze disc
German states and the acquisition of the
corresponding devices on a larger scale. As in
most other areas of life, too
here the development of the West is followed in
quick succession. Well-known monuments such
as B. the small Gleichberg in Thuringia, despite
numerous arrests by the police as a result of
robbery excavations, have always been
profoundly disturbed (Kapff 2oo2, 4).
Initially completely unnoticed by experts, in
1999 two probes succeeded in discovering one
of those "finds of the century", which were
extremely rare even in the days of metal probes,
in a prehistoric rampart in southern Saxony-
Anhalt not right
history Berlin in May 2oo1, the director of the
museum, Wilfried Menghin, showed me more
than a dozen prints of amateur photos, which,
blurred but clearly recognizable, showed one of
by detectorists
the most spectacular archaeological finds we
had ever seen. Next to two swords, two hatchets
about 30 cm in size on a terry cloth towel, on
which a concrete depiction of the sun, moon and
stars was apparently attached in the form of gold
plating. After presenting the photos to Wilfried
Menghin, this find was sold for 1 million in 1999.
DM has been offered for sale. When he asked
where the find came from, the providers named
the town of Sangerhausen in Saxony-Anhalt.
With this clear statement about the place where
it was found, the find could no longer be traded
legally, since the Treasury Regulation (§ 12
DenkmSchG) applies in Saxony-Anhalt, according
to which moveable cultural monuments “become
the property of the state upon discovery” “if they
are of outstanding scientific value have".

Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002 7

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Fig.1 The bronze find with Him
melsscheibe in uncleaned and
unrestored condition immediately
after being transferred to the State
Museum of Prehistory in March 2002.
8 Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002
Prof. Dr. As a result, W. Menghin rejected the
purchase offer with reference to the property
rights of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Since then,
ie for more than three years, no trace of the
unique find has been lost. If the find on the photos
is genuine, its significance for archeology far
beyond Germany was so exceptional that the
rightful owner, the state of Saxony-Anhalt, had to
do everything possible to ensure that the find
went to the responsible state museum for History
in Halle came and the public and
science could be made accessible.
The security authorities were involved in the
planned repatriation from the outset, since the
acquisition was not based on actual
purchase, but rather, if at all possible, by
identifying the current “owners” and securing the
finds. Naturally, these investigations turned out
to be extremely difficult, not only because of the
time that had elapsed in the meantime, but also
because of the difficulty in establishing the
relevant contacts with the current owners, who
were acting very cautiously.
It took nine months for the German and Swiss
police to gain access to the basement of a Basel
hotel
could. During this and a subsequent house
search in Germany, the entire find depicted in the
Berlin photos was secured. He was born on the
1o. March 2oo2 handed over to the State Museum
for Prehistory Halle by the District Court of Halle.
At this point in time, there were numerous
questions about the perpetrators, possible fences, Pernicka/ Wunderlich in this volume).
the authenticity and connection between the find and theIn the case of the accompanying finds, there
the exact place where it was found and the
circumstances of the find, especially the exact
type of finding. The majority of these questions
have now been clarified, a little over six months later.
The discovery
a. Authenticity, togetherness, dating
In addition to the disc itself, the find (Fig. 1)
includes two swords, two edge hatchets, a bent
edge chisel and several fragments
of probably originally two arm spirals4. All of
these finds are made of bronze. Two flat rings
made of thin sheet gold were used to decorate
the handles of the swords. There are also two
small folded gold sheets and a small round gold
sheet, which is clearly the support of the star that
fell off the bronze disc.
The compressed sheets of metal presumably fit
into the torn-out part of the large, round gold
object on the pane.
Since the finds are not from a scientific
come from one excavation and have passed
through several hands, the question arose as to
their authenticity and whether they belonged together.
The dating of the bronze disc ultimately also
depended on this, as this singular find could not
be dated with sufficient accuracy as a single find.
The probability of a forgery of the bronze disc was
confirmed by the investigations by E. Pernicka at
the TU Freiberg and by C.-H. Wunderlich from the
State Museum for Vor
history was decidedly negative (see the article by
was hardly any question as to their authenticity,
since the cost of counterfeiting would have
exceeded the potential profit from a sale. With the
same arguments as with the bronze disc, the
originality can also be proven here, supported by
the archaeological investigations.
It is naturally more difficult to prove that the
finds belong together. In principle, it is to be
feared that robber graves or fences will add
additional finds that date to exceptional individual
finds in order to improve their saleability, in order
to increase the value of the overall find. This
practice was introduced to me while researching
impressively described based on the present
find. On gold finds, such as gold bowls, which in
the Bronze Age were repeatedly found without accompanying
occur, one gives "green stuff" - meaning bronze
finds with their characteristic green patina -
because the archaeologists of the buying
museums would be happy about the integration
into a find context.
For several reasons, however, it can be
assumed that this is the case with the present find
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is not the case. Rather, everything points to it
indicate that the pieces actually originally
belonged together.
The find could already be seen in its current
composition on the first photos known to us,
which show the pane in an uncleaned condition
with scratches from the excavation equipment.
The buyers of the find was at the
The value of the bronze disc is probably not
known due to the heavy soiling. essence
It is clear that the finds were only partially
cleaned when they were seized. According to
the investigations by W. Lichtenberg and C.-H.
Wunderlich (State Criminal Police Office and
State Museum for Prehistory) so identical that
it must be assumed that they belong together.
Subsequent attachment of the floor for the
purpose of deception is more than improbable
due to the observed extremely strong
connection with the metal surface.
Archaeological arguments also support the
fact that the finds belong together. The
inventory of finds is chronologically and
historically conclusive5. The swords give us
the clearest indication. you are with him
re inlaid blade decoration and gold on
CONTRIBUTIONS
located on the handles so singularly that it
would hardly be possible for even a dealer with
access to the entire "market" to find such rare
and valuable finds. He would have met with Bei
chisels and arm spirals, which occur much
more frequently than accompanying finds
must.
With proof that the find belongs together, it
is possible to date the laying of the bronze disc
relatively precisely. The two swords as well as
hatchets and chisels
belong to the transition from the Early to the
Middle Bronze Age, in the so-called stage A 3,
and are thus at the end of the 17th and the first
half of the 16th century BC. dated 6th
b. The bronze disc
The diameter of the bronze disc, which is not
exactly round, varies between 31 and 32 cm
(Fig. 2). The thickness increases from about
1.5 mm to about 4.5 mm from the outside
inwards. The weight in the current state of the
partial restoration is approx. 2o5o g. 37 gold
sheets with a thickness of approx . 0.4 mm were exchanged on the disk.
They were with their rims in only after that
Cast grooves have been driven. About it
Fig.2 The Sky Disc of
Nebra in clean condition.
The orientation is based
on the reconstructed position
in the earth based on the
recent damage on the
upper side. "Sun", "Moon"
and "Stars" are clear as well as there
in between the Pleiades can
be seen as the seven stars.
The left arch of the
horizon is no longer there,
under the right one the
Contours of two covered
stars off.
Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002 9
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Fig.3 The highly stylized ship
on the Nebra Sky Disc is
surrounded by a feathering
typical of Bronze Age ship
depiction,
probably intended to indicate
rudders. The ship has a
special significance as a
religious symbol because
it sails unmanned across the
night sky between sunrise
and sunset.
10 Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002
in addition, the edge of the disk became circumferential
punched at fairly regular intervals from the front
with at least 38 holes measuring approx. 2.5 mm.
The traces of hammering out after casting are
clear on the undecorated reverse side
to recognize. In addition, they are recorded here
gold sheets clearly exchanged on the front
from7. The disc shows considerable damage on
the edge, on the front and back and on the
largest sheet of gold. In addition, some of the
gold plating is covered with fine scratches, which
apparently stem from a modern attempt at
cleaning. As the investigations of C.-H.
Wunderlich, W. Lichtenberg and the investigations
by the public prosecutor in Halle showed that
the extensive damage mentioned was
predominantly caused by the robber graves
during improper salvaging8. During the
"excavation" in the course of the discovery, they
smashed the edge of the disc and the gold
attached there fell off. They also damaged the
largest gold plating and scratched the front of
the disc in particular with a pointed tool,
probably a carpenter's hammer.
At first glance, the gold appliqués on the disc
are interpreted as sun, moon and stars.
According to the current state of knowledge, the
representations of the sun and moon can also be
a full moon or a total or partial eclipse of the sun
and/or moon (on astronomy see the Schlosser
article in this volume). The observation of a clear,
slightly rippled rim formed by the decoction on
the Sun could play a role in future interpretation.
The formerly 32 stars are fairly regularly but
randomly distributed across the disk. Make an
exception
seven stars between »Sun« and »Moon«, which
according to Prof. Dr. W. Schlosser (Astronomical
Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum) which
should be about the Pleiades. What is important
is his recognition that the remaining stars are a
»starry sky free of constellations per se«,
that is, an ideal-typical structure of the night sky
has been presented, the conscious emphasis of
which was on the emphasis on the Pleiades, the
only constellation.
In addition to these clear celestial bodies,
there were probably three stripe-shaped gold
arches on the edge of the disk. One of the two
that was slightly wider than the third edge is
missing. The loss is documented by the exact
decoy groove in which it was attached. With
both wingtips it is obvious that they were
attached later. Under the surviving gold stripe
the relief of two stars emerges. Thereafter
Identification of the X-ray image of these stars at the
Works on the gold bow were removed, it should
not be an intentional over
cover stars for mythological or conceptual
reasons. This idea is supported by a third star,
which had been moved when the wing tip that is
missing today was created, as it would have
been partially covered by it (see Pernicka /
Wunderlich contribution, Fig. 5). According to
Schlosser's convincing interpretation, both
marginal arcs are horizon symbols that show
the annual course of the sun along the horizon
line at sunrise and sunset between 21.06 . and
21.12. mark so that the ends of the arcs on the
disc effectively represent this data.
The third, slightly tilted between the gold
arches near the arches of the horizon, has two
parallel grooves in the upper half and its more
pronounced curvature. Its decoration
distinguishes it from the other gold sheets.
The ship
Based on numerous archaeological comparisons,
this is probably the highly stylized Dar
position of a ship (Fig. 3). Because of the
significant religious-historical significance of
this motif for the following periods of the Bronze
Age, it will be given in more detail here
be treated.
Ships played a central role in the middle and
especially late Bronze Age of Central and
Northern Europe for almost 1,000 years as a
religious symbol alongside horses, waterfowl and
sun disks. They were usually highly stylized and
often unmanned on numerous bronzes - only the
razors are mentioned here, but they are also –,
shown on rock paintings. A characteristic is a
dash or feathering mostly on the top of the ship,
more rarely also on the bottom (Fig. 4)9.
The dating of the earliest depictions, e.g. B.
the one on one of the Rørby swords
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CONTRIBUTIONS

controversial, so that our ship on the bronze

disc is probably one of the oldest such
images north of the Alps. It goes without
saying that this depiction of a ship is of
central importance for the assessment of
later pictorial works due to its early dating,
but above all because of the pictorial context
depicted on the disc. It seems as if the
beginnings of a religious image symbol for
Central Europe can be grasped here. In
Bronze Age religion, ships were seen in
direct connection with the course of the sun
(Kossack 1999, 96 ff.). Therefore, the joint
occurrence of celestial bodies/horizon
symbols and a ship on our disc should not
come as a surprise. The connection between
ship and sun is exemplified by a belt plate
from the Late Bronze Age depot find (9th-8th
centuries BC) from Floth (Poland), whose
pictorial program was recently reinterpreted
by Hänsel (Hänsel/Hänsel 1997) ( Fig. 5). A
human figure with outstretched arms stands
on each of two sun barks ending in the
heads of birds. Above the figure is the sun,
represented as a disc. Each time it rises and
sets, it is pulled by a bird. At the zenith it
rests exactly above the figure who is apparently praying. lined
These two representations are of two other
ships attached to the edges as well as an
analogous representation of the course of
the sun as a succession of discs in the
middle part of the belt. Sun barques with
bird heads, as shown here, appear massively Fig. 4 The overview shows the development of
depictions of ships in the Nordic Bronze Age over a
during the period Ha B1, i.e. from the 11th period of more than 1000 years. The rudders, and thus
century B.C. BC – probably stimulated by probably the crew, have been indicated in fine lines
the central Danube region – to the north (Kaul 1998, 28oan
and remain ff.).
essential element of the illustrations (not
Experts are not sure about the origin and ent to scale) throughout the period.

older depictions of ships in the north are

not unanimous10. The Rørby sword with its
depiction of a ship, which was discovered
very early in the dating process and was
discovered in a Danish moor on Zealand,
plays a central role in this discussion. It is
indisputable that its form descends from Hittite ceremonial swords.
However, it appears to have been
manufactured in the north11. On the one
hand, the ship depiction of the sword is
said to be cast together with the sword and
of local origin and thus to form the starting
point for further Nordic ship depictions; on
the other hand, the ship motif itself is said to come from the Mediterranean
room to be imported.
Whether Rørby sword or early petroglyphs
- a quick look at these ships shows (Fig. 4) Fig.5 The girdle plate from Floth, Poland, (9th-8th
that they have a high stili like our ship century BC) shows two ships facing each other with their
keels on each of which stands a figure with outstretched
they have the degree of insurance and the arms, above which the course of the sun with a disc
corresponding feathering, but that the hull formed sun is shown in three phases. During the day
of these northern ships, quite different from a bird draws the sun across the sky, only at the zenith
does it seem to rest. On the edges of the belt are two
that of the ship of the disk, is elongated more sun barques that frame the entire scene (not to
with a clearly pronounced bow and stern. scale).

Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002 11

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CONTRIBUTIONS

1 2 3 4

Fig.6 The Hungarian neck crest and neck disc younger than our find. Here, too, the ships
axes of the Apa-Hajdúsámson horizon (16th century B.C. are grooved lengthwise and have
Chr.) often have ornaments running parallel to the cutting
edge with rolled-up ends, which Sprockhoff already referred
feathering on the underside, which was
to as depictions of ships. In comparison with the ship of the designed as a row of dots. Based on this
sky disc and the ships of Zajta, this is correct, so that the stylized depiction, it is easy to recognize
origin of our strongly stylized ship is probably to be sought
in this region, from which the ideas for our swords also
two ships on a second sword from the
come. In the examples from Nehoiu (1) and Apa (2) shown same depot find, albeit with bow and stern
here, a ship with bow and stern rolled up is pointing to the bent up (Kemenczei 1991, pl. 3.11; 4.11).
cutting edge, in the examples from Plaÿie¸sti (3) and
Hajdúsám son (4) two are standing facing each other Ships
As we shall see below, the models of
opposite, the dot between the ships in the piece from the two come from the Sky Disc
Plaÿie¸sti could represent the sun (M. 2:3). found swords from Hungarian and
Romanian depot finds, such as Hajdúsámson and
Apa, in which they, together with the
A formally much closer parallel and neckplate axes described here, have ships
above all a chronologically perfect match position were found. In addition to close
are the representations of ships on formal correspondence, there is also a
numerous Danube shaft hole, neck plate correspondence in content and
and neck crest axes (Fig. 6)12. These chronology. In view of the fact that the
illustrations were already referred to as depiction of ships on the disk was
completely
ship motifs by Sprockhoff in 1955 (44; 1o4 Figs. 14.1-5). isolated in Central Europe at
The ships are each highly stylized and this time and that the motif did not
oriented parallel to the ax blades; two develop independently in Central Germany,
ships can face each other, but usually also because of the lack of large bodies
only one ship carries hooked ornaments of water, a derivation from the central
that adorn the sides of the axes. Danube region appears to be due to the
Fig.7 Along the sword blade Like our ship, the ship motifs on these plausible observations. In addition, it
from Zajta, Hungary, axes have parallel longitudinal grooves might be possible to use good arguments
(late 16th/early 15th century
BC) are ten highly stylized ships on
in the ship's hull, the feathering here is in to build a bridge to the later bird sun
Lined up pictured, which is most cases its equivalent in a dot. barques, so that the early grooved ships
one of the
However, in contrast to our boat, the stern actually stand at the beginning of the
best parallels to the depiction
of ships on the Nebra Sky Disc
and bow are strongly curved inwards in religious ship symbolism of Central and Northern Eu
(M. 1:2). the illustrations on the axes. However, since we have a complex
A bow and stern design corresponding pictorial program in front of us on our
to our depiction can be found on ten disc, in contrast to the depictions of the
opposing ship motifs along a sword blade central Danube region, in which a barge
by Zajta (Hungary; Kemenczei 1991, 12), sails across the starry night sky between
which played no role in the previous sunrise and sunset, we have to pursue
discussion of early ship depictions (fig. 7). the ship symbols and depiction a little further .
This sword of Zajta is only immaterial On the one hand, the Bronze Age icon

12 Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002

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CONTRIBUTIONS

On the other hand, it is quite possible that Fig. 8 The ships carved in clay on the

the Central European ship symbol of the so-called Cycladic handle scales are
the oldest depictions of ships in
Bronze Age originated in the central Europe (middle of the 3rd
Danube region, but that against the millennium BC). Here, too, the
rudders are only indicated as dashed
background of ideas inherited from the
lines along the hull (without scale).
South happened.

The earliest depictions of European

ships from the middle of the 3rd millennium
B.C. We know from the so-called Cycladic
handle shells (Fig. 8), which are mostly
grave goods13. These illustrations are also
strongly stylized, although they correspond
more to the Nordic than to ours or to the Danube
Indian representations. However, the
hatching at the top and bottom aligns well
with the sky disc ship.
A somewhat more recent ship carved
on pottery from the prehistoric city of
Phylakopí on Delos offers a better parallel (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 The depiction of ships from
Unfortunately, the picture survives only on Phylakopí (Greece) is unfortunately only
a shard on which the ship's bow and stern fragmentary. Nevertheless, it shows
parallels to the ship in the strong
have broken away; nevertheless a strongly
curvature of the hull with the stylized
curved ship can be seen with dotted rudders as feathering
decoration and numerous dotted oars on
top and bottom, as well as a large rudder the sky disc. through the
operated by a helmsman. The specific depiction of the helmsman
In addition, there is a large number of clearly demonstrates the character
of the ship (without scale).
Minoan and Mycenaean seals, some of
which show the well-known ships with
stern and bow, but others also show
heavily curved hulls with corresponding dashes14.
Finally, it is important to note the ship
friezes from the Akrotíri murals on Santorini
mention15. They date like our find in das
16th century BC They are much more
detailed and realistic, but also show a
correspondingly curved, rounded basic
form. However, the depictions of ships in
the Akrotíri naval parade are likely to be
replicas of Egyptian models.
In Egypt we find from ancient to that
new kingdom on murals and reliefs of
tombs and temples, but also a large
number of ship representations in the
model boats found in the tombs. A number
of these boats have a curved basic shape,
so that they could have been the starting
point for the stylization of the present ship
symbol (Fig. 1o) 16.
The recurring depiction of the ship is
not surprising, as it plays a crucial role in Fig.10 Ships played a decisive role in Egyptian religion for a long time, especially as sun barques. The daily course of
the sun across the day and night sky took place in them. Not least for this reason, ships were repeatedly depicted in
Egyptian religion, above all as a sun
tombs, as in the present illustrations, or on temple walls, but also as model boats. The boats depicted here come from the
barque17. According to the Egyptians, the tombs of Antefoker (20th century BC) and Nisut-nefer (5th dynasty 2475–2325). The basic shape of the boats has
sun completed its daily course in a barge, remained the same for many centuries. A possible Egyptian influence on Bronze Age religion in Europe will have to be
examined; if this is confirmed, the ships, which are often bent upwards, could have been models for the depictions of ships
at night it sailed as a god in the sun bark
discussed here.
over the waters of heaven
(Koch 1993, 132ff.).

Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002 13

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CONTRIBUTIONS

side so that it drove between the two horizons

across the night sky. There
in it may be important for future discussion
that the ship is shown slightly "tilted"; this
may result in a clear direction of travel.

It is undisputed that the horizons were

Fig. 11 The silver ship mo
dell from the royal cemetery of Ur
provides impressive evidence
that high-vaulted rowing boats
were already being used in the Near
East in the late 3rd millennium BC.
(M 1:8). They also appear as sacred
barges and ships of the gods
tion, but do not play the same
crucial role
as in Egyptian religion.
A quick look at the Near East shows that
since the 3rd millennium BC. Sacred barges,
ships of the gods and ships with high curved
ends are common, so that in future
investigations one should pay attention to
possible corresponding references (Fig. 11)18 .
It can therefore be stated that the best parallels period of use, the disc could have been
for the ship in terms of form and science can be foundreinterpreted
the Nebra Sky Disc in mid-Thu
find space. The Greek, Near Eastern and,
above all, Egyptian ships are often only
comparable in terms of their arched basic
shape and the numerous rudders due to their
much more realistic depiction, although here
too connections cannot be ruled out.
added later. Whether this also for the ship itself
hopefully the scientific analyzes of the gold
composition of the individual editions will
reveal this to be the case. Just as little as we
know about the duration of use of the disk, we
can estimate how much time elapsed between
the manufacture of the disk and the attachment
of the horizons. This period may well have
been considerable. During the possibly longer
on in a second phase. Since the
horizon arches mark the annual course of the
sun from 21.06. until 21.12. mark, it can be
assumed that their attachment gave the disc a
solar significance. With the older motifs, i.e.
the first phase, a lunar reference may also
have been decisive. A starting point for
interpretation will also be the scientific
investigations into the former »colourfulness«
of the pane.

c. Overall picture and meaning of the disc

Fig.12 The cult object from Balkåkra
also dates to the 16th century BC.
The disc lying flat there, resting
horizontally in a frame and curved
inward, is the best find to date to
compare the sky disc of
Nebra dar (without scale).
It is also worth noting that the edge of the
Due to the modern destruction at the edge of disc was perforated in a final reworking phase
the disc, which originates from the hammer (phase 3). Horizon arches and ship were
blows of the robber graves, their former radically damaged. This will probably have
position can be reconstructed well in the been connected with a change in the
findings. She was then standing upright in fortification. The uniform holes give reason to
the earth when she was hit by the carpenter's assume that the disc was fixed flat on a carrier
hammer on the top edge. The positioning of material. This is also related to the question of
the disk when it is laid also supports our concrete use. The disc and
previous interpretations, since the horizons
then follow each other correctly on the sides and especially
the ship onthe
thepicture
bottomshown on it is unique,
there are no comparable pieces. Nevertheless,
there are quite a few discs in the early and
middle Bronze Age that are or could be solar
symbols. Some of them can be related to our
sky disk.

The first to be mentioned here is the disc

on the Trundholm sun chariot, which is at least
200–300 years younger and is drawn by a
horse. It is actually two discs that curve
outwards and are held together by a ring (Aner/
Kersten 1976, no. 867, pl. 138–14o). Of course,
a comparable attachment using a bronze ring
cannot be ruled out for the Nebra Sky Disc.
Our disc is all

ding with up to 4.5 mm thickness in contrast to the

Trundholm disc but much more massive
designed and also considerably curved
inwards. Much more similar in basic form
are two slightly larger disks that are attached to

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CONTRIBUTIONS

distant places, namely in Balkåkra (southern

Sweden; fig. 12) and Hasfalva (Hungary) and
probably also in the 16th century. v. are to be
dated 19. Both have a similar openwork base,
on which the discs were fixed with a bronze
ring. The top of the two disks is ver

adorned, which were generally interpreted as

sun symbols. It is striking that both discs are
curved inwards by about 1 cm, so that they
have the shape of a plate. Since these pieces belong to the Nebraer
find, at least morphologically, comes closest, a Fig.13 In the Nordic Bronze Age there are representations Fig.14 The miniature version
of discs on stands, which are probably solar discs; some of of a sun disk is made of
corresponding horizontal attachment to a base
them show a cross, which is also interpreted as a sun symbol. amber surrounded by a
frame could also be considered here. However, If the rock drawings depict real objects, which can be bronze frame. If you hold the
it should also be pointed out that "sun disks" assumed, then they show a possibility of using and handling transparent pane up to the
appear on rock paintings from the Nordic the sky disc. light, a cross appears. The
unlocated piece in the National
Bronze Age. Museum in Copenhagen
were depicted, which according to Kaul could probably dates to the early
Bronze Age.
be carried as a kind of standard (Fig. 13). In one
It is quite possible that this is a
case there is even a miniature sun disk that is model of a larger solar disc
only 7 cm in size, which may represent the used in the actual ritual.
model of an actual sun disk. Here
is the disc in a frame of bronze fi
xed, grooves on the fastening rod probably
indicate the cords with which the real disc was
fastened to a carrying rod (fig. 14).
We find standards with sun discs
also on various depictions of cylinder seals
from the Near East (fig. 15). Here we know a Fig. 15 On numerous cylinder
seals of the Middle East there
large number of standards, which often show
are standards with sun or sun symbols
symbols of the gods, including crescent moons moon symbols shown.
and sun discs20. Apparently golden sun discs The present seals from the
Palace of Nuzi show standards
were also set up on altars in front of places of
with winged suns (middle);
worship (Fig. 16). here the discs are formed as
The particular importance of the Nebra Sky wheel crosses. At the top of
such a disk, seven stars
Disc lies in what is probably the world's oldest
appear. Below, a figure appears
concrete depiction of the starry sky to date, to be holding a lunar and sun
showing complex astronomical phenomena. standard.

This is surprising, since we would not have

expected something comparable in Central
Europe, but rather in the Middle East or in Egypt.
As expected, stars were depicted there much
earlier (e.g. in the Pyramid of Unas 2375–2345
BC) (Stadelmann 1991, pl. 71).
However, these are lined up purely geometrically,
so that they do not reveal any astronomical
references. This changes with the sky images
of the astronomical ceilings of
mortuary temples and burial chambers; the
best known is the ceiling of the sarcophagus
hall of the tomb of Pharaoh Seti I (1293–1279 BC)
(Hornung 1991, pl. 2oo) 21.
The situation is somewhat different in the
Near East, where astronomical knowledge has
reached a considerable extent through long-term observations

Fig 16 In front of the shrine of the sun god Sÿamaÿs is placed

a golden sun disk, which is the symbol of the god, fixed on
an altar.
From the temple of Sÿamaÿs in Sippur ca. 870 BC. Chr.

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CONTRIBUTIONS

achieved, but were not comprehensively documented long-distance relationships

illustrated in earlier times. However, we know during the early and middle Bronze Age between Middle
from numerous illustrations on cylinder seals and Northern Europe and the Near East23.
since the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. They are most impressively documented by
BC as well as on black, much younger Kassite Nordic folding stools of Period II, which go
and Babylonian boundary stones, called back to Egyptian or East Aegean models
Kudurrus, formulaic, similar representations, (Schauer 1985, 158–16o, Fig. 3o).
which isolated and schematic obviously the Grundka
In addition to numerous other documents,
n show our disk illustration of moon, sun and the hoard find from Kyhna, district of
a seven stars (Fig. 17). In the upper part of Delitzsch, and the gold find from Dieskau,
the sculptures there is often a horizontal Saalkreis, which has since disappeared,
crescent moon, a sun disc like the Pleiades, show these far-reaching relationships most clearly for C
which are represented as seven points22. A slotted lance tip was found in Kyhna, the
The septenary appears possibly for the first comparative forms of which can only be
time in the seals of the Mitanni Empire associated with the eastern Mediterranean.
(1500-1350 BC). Here, as a rule, six stars are The same applies to Dieskau: the silver
arranged around a central star, as is also the eyelet bracelet found there has its direct
case in our depiction of the sky disc. The counterpart in a temple depot in Byblos
assessment of whether this is a simple (Lebanon)24.
decorative element, a rosette or the Pleiades From my point of view, it is reasonable to
will be of great interest in the future due to assume that, in addition to goods, intellectual
the similarity with our depiction. On later concepts and religious ideas also came to
cylinder seals, the septenary – which can Central and Northern Europe over long
then certainly be associated with the Pleiades distances. Here the depiction on the sky disk
– is usually depicted as two rows of three is compared with that of the night sky ocean
stars, with the seventh star standing in front commute between sunrise and sunset give
of and between them. It will have to be the ship another reason, e.g. For example,
examined in terms of content, form and the possible influences of Egypt and the
chronology to what extent these are actually Middle East on the European Bronze Age,
influences from the Middle East which have been discussed again and again,
Central Europe acts. should be given intensive thought. It cannot
From a variety of authors was in be denied that the depiction on the sky disk
mer right back to the found material well looks like a depiction of the night journey of
the sun – one of the central motifs of Egyptian religion.
In view of the existing relationships,
archaeologists are more inclined to think of
Fig. 17 Mainly on the front
transmission through contacts than of an
oriental cylinder seals com
always formulaically the same independent creation of the complex image.
celestial signs - sun, moon, stars The same applies to the very formulaic and
and seven stars. On numerous
stylized depiction of the astronomical
seals since the Mitanni Empire (1500–
1350 BC)
elements, especially the specific arrangement
of the Pleiades as a rosette around a central
B.C.) rosettes with six more grouped star. Of course this is not from
around a central point, as we see here
on the Tell Fecheriye seal (above).
to assume a simple adoption of religious
Whether it is just a filling ideas. This shows particularly clearly the
occurrence of the sun pulling
ornament or depiction of the Pleiades
Horse especially in the Nordic Bronze Age,
is used for judging the representation since the horse z. B. plays no role in Egyptian
religion. “The life-giving star traveled across
on our sky disc
in the face of the amazing Än
the firmament in horse-drawn chariots and
be essential. returned in a ship on the ocean current that
On later cylinder seals, the surrounded the disc of the earth,” said
seven stars are clearly connected
with the Pleiades: they
Kossack (1999, 186). If this is true, then by
are usually divided into two points the Late Bronze Age to which he is referring
rows as depicted on the seal of Nuzi there must have been a syncretic self-
(centre).
The Seal of Tell Açana (below) is a
creation, the origins of which can possibly
good example of depictions showing be found in the Sky Disc.
the central elements of our sky disc, So the Nebra Sky Disc is not
the moon, sun, and septenary.
only from an archaeological point of view, but
also from an astronomical and religious-historical point of view

16 Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002

Machine Translated by Google
European key find, which ultimately gives us
new questions and answers about older finds
and features such as e.g. B. Stonehenge,
which in its final construction phase also dates
back to the 16th century.
i.e. Swords, hatchets, chisels and arm spirals
The other finds will only be discussed briefly
at this point. Given the importance of the disc,
it is easy to overlook the fact that the swords
are also outstanding pieces. This is shown
most impressively by the ornaments made of
sheet gold on the handles and the decorative
technique on the blade and handle. Both
swords are extremely similar
lich. They have an approx. 36 cm long blade
and only one handle, which is attached to the
blade with four rivets. Imprints on the back of
the blade and the undamaged rivets on one
sword show that the second half of the handle
was obviously made of organic material and
has therefore not been preserved25. special
What is striking is that the hilts and blades of
our two swords are decorated with inlays (Figs.
18 and 19). The lancet-shaped blade inlays are
accompanied by fine grooves.
The only exception is a wavy inlay along the
middle of the back of the blade on one of the
pieces. The sword hilts contained bone inside,
as evidenced by small amounts of adherent
remains. Metric comparisons with other
swords and technical considerations suggest
that the gold application sat directly between
the handle and the pommel (Fig. 18).
Formally, the swords belong to the so-called
Apa swords, which originated in the area
between the middle Danube and the Tisza, in
other words today's Hungary and Romania26.
Another focus, albeit imported or reproduced
pieces, is in what is now Denmark. Based on
the material known so far, it is not possible to
say with certainty where our piece was made.
It may be possible to narrow it down through
detailed technical investigations. From a
formal point of view, local manufacture is
entirely conceivable, although the question of
knowledge of the inking technique arises here.
whimsical and
Pernicka rightly referred to the manufacturing
problems of the inlays. Swappings are
extremely rare in Early Bronze Age Europe
outside of the eastern Mediterranean areas,
and then they are
mostly associated with the well-known finds
from the Mycenaean shaft graves, in which
extremely artistically inlaid daggers were
found, which also date to the 16th century B.C.
date 27. The technology itself started in the
Middle East with the magnificent finds from
the graves of Alaca Höyük
CONTRIBUTIONS
in the late 3rd millennium BC a28 . Due to the
relatively simple decoration, manufacture in
Greece is rather unlikely.
The two axes are Rand
Bühl-type groin axes with a slight notch, which
can be dated to stage A 3 at the end of the
Early Bronze Age. The distribution of the axes
points to the north with a focus on the lower
Elbe and Oder area (Rittershofer 1983, 183ff. Fig. 3).
With the bent edge chisel with widened
Stock area is a late
Variant which, like the axes, can be dated to
the turn of the Early to Middle Bronze Age
(Zich 1996, 214 f. Map 97). Chisels of this type
are spread loosely from the northern Harz
Mountains to Poland.
Due to the find history and their fragility,
the arm spirals have mostly broken into
numerous pieces in the modern age. Originally
it was probably two simple arms
spirals, which are more common in the
northern Aunetic culture. They are almost
exclusively found in hoards. A distribution
focus is in Central Germany, so that a native
form should be assumed here as well (Zich
1991, 207f. Map 94).
The location
The basis of the official activities on the part
of Saxony-Anhalt was the credible naming of
the origin of the find by the sellers in
Berlin. These indications were confirmed
during the course of the investigation. However, the exact
Fig.18 Sword from the Nebra bronze find. Since the golden
handle decoration was probably between the pommel and
the middle part – as reconstructed here – the photo probably
reflects the original impression.
Fig.19 The blades of the bronze swords are exchanged
with a copper strip. The origin of this ornament is ultimately
unclear, as it was not common in Central Europe.
Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002 17
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CONTRIBUTIONS
Fig. 21 The find on the
Mittelberg, from which the
bronze find presumably came.
The darkly discolored
robbery grave hole and
the still unopened stone
chest are clearly visible.
18 Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt 1 2002
Fig.20 The Mittelberg near Nebra. From the Mittelberg,
which towers over the Unstrutaue, you have an excellent
view as far as the Brocken or the Kulpenberg, behind their
peaks seen from the Mittelberg on June 21st. or on 01.05.
the sun goes down
for archeology on an area of 50 m x 20 m on the
Mittelberg, corresponding re-excavations as
well as extensive surveys of the facility visible
above ground. It is about a diameter of about
16o m
large, only faintly visible ring wall with a shallow
ditch in front, which encloses the hilltop. On
both sides, sections of ramparts were built in
advance, which are apparently also related to
the hilltop. Due to the topography and location
of the ramparts, it is hardly of a fortification
purpose
plant to go out.
The place where it was found could not be The intervention of the illegal excavation is
determined for a long time because it was clearly visible in the finding itself (Fig. 21). Also
apparently unknown to the people arrested in because of its size, depositing the present find
Basel. On this basis, after the finds had been with the disc was easily possible there. The
secured, the legal place of discovery modern robbery excavation finding encroaches
Sangerhausen had to be assumed for a few on the edge of a disordered stone box, the
months without knowing the exact place of discovery. This circumstance
material was extremely
of which was extracted from unsatisfactory
the
sufficient, since the place where it was found always outlying Bunt sandstein. Another indication of
represents the decisive key to the overall context of the the
find.authenticity of the position is the proof
In the course of the investigation, the State through tool marks. There is evidence that the
Criminal Police Office of Saxony-Anhalt succeeded illegal excavations were carried out with a
pointeddistrict
in finding the site on the Mittelberg (district of Burgenlandkreis, tool, such
of as a carpenter's hammer.
Merseburg-Querfurt) in the Ziegelroda Forest Although the stone chest had not yet been
(Fig. 2o). A comparison of the soil samples on opened when the manuscript was written, there
the finds with soil samples from the Mittelberg is currently nothing to suggest that the find
yielded a significant agreement. The came from an Early Bronze Age prince
Location was with high probability from grave, since the corresponding grave architecture
resourceful, but the knowledge of the exact find is missing. So, with all due caution, it could be
spot was still missing. However, this was a a depot find.
prerequisite for the planned and necessary Particularly noteworthy is that of Prof. Dr.
excavations to clarify the precise findings. Exact Schlosser discovered the line of sight with
proof of the find spot which, starting from the Mittelberg, the important
succeeded only through the testimony of one of the date of 21.o6. the sunset behind the Brocken in
the Harz can be observed. This is the find, which is sent to t
parties involved. Since the 2o. August headed the state office
Machine Translated by Google
CONTRIBUTIONS

Ends of the horizon arches also shows this date,
clearly related to the find spot and thus gains the
character of a prehistoric observatory with the
associated cult device.
Proceed further
After the find already four weeks after Er
To be seen at the end of 2oo4 as part of a separate
state exhibition. Until then, the extensive scientific
and necessary archaeological investigations will
be carried out. These are to be published in the
form of a catalog before the exhibition and, above
all, in connection with a planned international
congress.

It was shown in a special exhibition at the State

Museum in March 2oo2 , and it is to be found We report on the work in progress
together with the relevant comparative finds Internet at www.archlsa.de/sterne.

1 First of all, I would like to thank
all those who, through their
extraordinary commitment,
prevented the find briefly
presented here from falling into
the wrong hands. The competent
employees of the public prosecutor's
office in Halle, the State Criminal
Police Office in Saxony-Anhalt,
the Ministry of Education in
Saxony-Anhalt and the public prosecutor's
Reichstein and those employees
of the Saxony-Anhalt State Office
for Archeology who were aware
of the find.
2 A brief insight into the rubric
"Circumstances of finds" in the
exhibition catalog "Beauty, Power
and Death" shows this clearly for
the most important Central
German finds: Meller 2oo1, 4o-29o.
3 An excellent overview of the
Zanier 2oo1.
4 So far, the find has been made public
presented in two press conferences
on 28.02.02 and 25.09.02 as well
as in an exhibition from
14.-28.04.02 . There were only brief 15 Ekschmitt 1998, 115 Fig. 46; McGrail
reports in specialist publications:
Meller 2oo2, Meller 2oo2a.
5 A find composition from
Swords/daggers, hatchets and
chisels are not uncommon in the
Early Bronze Age, but characterize
the Central German princely
tombs, which are older than our
find.
The best-known example is the
grave of Leubingen (Höfer 19o6).
From a chronological point of view,
the accompanying finds can be
clearly assigned to a horizon, so that
here too there is an indication
that they belong together.
6 On level A 3: Rittershofer 1983,
139-4o5. For the absolute
chronology: Innerhofer 2ooo, 241 ff.; 27o 317ff.
7 On the technique of decoding in
general: La Niece/Craddock
1993. 8 At a press conference on
September 25, 2002 in Nebra, the
public prosecutor's office in
Halle gave an initial overview of
the history of the find and sale .
9 Anoffice in Basel,
excellent Prof. of
overview Dr.Central
and Northern European Bronze
Age ship depictions based on
razors can be found in Kaul 1998.
1o In
summary: Pfeiffer
Frohnert 1997, 455ff.
11 On the Hittite connection:
Schauer 1985, 131 ff. Figs. 5–7.
On domestic production: Kaul
1998, 73 ff.
12 Most clear Vulpe 197o,
Plate 15,24o; 19,293-294,298;
55.3o3; 57,238.24o; 58-62; 69,A3-4;
71,A1; 72,A1-3; 73,B7; 74,B1.
13 Ekschmitt 1993, 58 ff. Fig. 26;
Broodbank 1998, 319-337.
14 Müller-Karpe 1974, plates 37o,26;
378.12; McGrail 2oo1, 112 Figs.
4,16; Nilsson 1967, pl. 26, 1.3.5; 12.6; 19.1. Europe is the ax from Thun-
2oo1, 116 Fig. 4.2o; 4:21.
16 Müller-Karpe 198o, plate 2; 3-5; 9;
14; 17; 19; 21; 31; 46–5o; 72;
8o-81; Erman/Ranke 1987, figs.
241-248; Müller-Karpe 1974, plate
24; 31; 4o; 43-48; 55-59; 62-68; 71;
74; 76-83; 87; 89; 92-98; 1o9; 122;
124; 134-14o; 145; 147; 15o; 152; McGrail 2oo1,dagger
17 A brief description of the ideas
behind the journey with day and
night boats in: Lexicon
der Ägyptologie V, 1984, sv
Sonnengott, 1o87–1o94.
18 Müller-Karpe 1974, pl. 179 f.;
19o; 212; 236; 241; Parrot
1983, figs. 3o6–3o7; 34o; Black/Green 28
1992, sv 1976, 35 Fig. 16; 45 Fig. 28.
Boats of the Gods.
19 Knape and Nordstrom 1994; Bünker REMARKS
1914,
ff. 2o Black/Green 1992, sv Solar Disc,
Standards, Staves, Scepters of Gods.
21 For the astronomical ceilings see
Lexicon of Egyptology I, 1975, sv
Astronomy, 511–514.
22 Müller-Karpe 198o, plates 96–97;
1o1; 1o7-1o8; 163; 184; Müller-
Karpe 1974, plate 242; 292; 296;
Black/Green 1992 sv Seven Dots.
23 In summary: Schauer 1984;
showers 1985; Gerloff 1993.
24 Coblenz 1986; Gerloff 1993, 62ff.
25 The other swords of the Apa type
have either one-piece hilts or
full hilts made of two sides. Handle
and blade are more often cast in
one piece. A construction
comparable to our sword was
found in a mound near Rastorf
(Schleswig-Holstein):
Bokelmann 1977, 9o-99 Fig. 8.1.
26 Bader 1991, 37ff.; Kemenczei
1991, 8 ff.; v. Quillfeldt 1995, 25ff.;
Hansel 2ooo, 31ff.
27 The best-known Early Bronze Age
exchanged find from Central
Renzenbühl. This is a fringe
ax with a copper band with gold
pins inserted on both sides of the
blade: Strahm 1965/66, 321–
371 Fig. 1; Strahm 1972, 99-112.
Similar inlaid inlays of gold
points were found on the edge
ax from Wilsford G 5 and a
from Priziac in Brittany:
55ff.
Clarke/Cowie/Foxon 1985, 115 Fig.
4,42; 138 Fig. 4.74. On the
problem of the Mycenaean
connections, but especially on another tau
sheer sword of »Marais de
Nantes« (France): Schauer 1984,
175 ff. Fig. 42; color plate I; Plates 3o–31.
Bittel

Aner/Kersten 1976 Bittel 1976 Bokelmann 1977 LITERATURE

E. Aner/K. Kersten, The finds of
the older Bronze Age of the
Nordic Circle in Denmark,
Schleswig-Holstein and
Lower Saxony 2 (Neumünster 1976).
Bader 1991
T. Bader, The Swords in
Romania. PBF IV 8 (Stuttgart 1991).
K.Bittel, The Hittites. The art of
Anatolia from the end of the 3rd
to the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.Rastorf, Plön district. Offa 34, 1977, 9o-99.
Universe of Art
(Munich 1976).
Black/Green 1992
J. Black/A. Green, Gods, Demons
and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia.
An Illustrated Dictionary
(London 1992).
K. Bokelmann, A burial mound of
the Stone and Bronze Age near
Broodbank 1989
C. Broodbank, The Longboat
and Society in the Cyclades in the
Keros Syros Culture. At the. Journal
Arch. 93, 1989, 319-337.

Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt · 1 · 2002 19

Machine Translated by Google
CONTRIBUTIONS
Bünker 1914
JR Bünker, The Haschendorf bronze
find. Mid. Anthr. Ges. Vienna 44,
1914, 317-326.
Clarke/Cowie/Foxon 1985
DV Clarke/TG Cowie/A. Foxon,
Symbols of Power at the Time of
Stone henge (Edinburgh 1985).
Coblenz 1986
W.Coblenz, An Early Bronze Age
depository find from Kyhna, Kr.
Delitzsch. Working and research area saxon G. Kossack, Religious thinking in
ground monument 3o, 1986, 37-88.
Ekschmitt 1993
W. Ekschmitt, The Cyclades. Bronze
Age, Geometric and Archaic Period
(Mainz 1993).
Erman/Ranke 1987
A.Erman/H.Ranke, Egypt and
Egyptian Life in Antiquity4
(Hildesheim 1987).
Gerloff 1993
S.Gerloff, On Questions of Mediterranean
Contacts and Absolute Chronology
of the Early Bronze Age Central
and Western Europe. prehist. journal
68, 1993, 58-102.
Hansel/Hansel 1997
A.Hansel/B. Hansel, Gifts to the
Gods. Treasures of the Bronze Age
in Europe. Free Univ. Berlin and Mus. before and
Early History, State Mus. Berlin,
inventory cat. 4 (Berlin 1997).
Hansel 2ooo
B. Hansel, Early Bronze Swords
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