dolmengoettin.de
In 1987, a stone chamber tomb from the Middle Neolithic was discovered during field work on the edge of the small village of Langeneichstädt in the south of Saxony-Anhalt. During the rescue excavations by the State Museum of Prehistory Saxony-Anhalt sandstone and limestone slabs were removed. Below a unique 1.76 m menhir came to light.
It is known today as the „Langeneichstädt Dolmen Goddess".
The grave and the menhir were created between 3.600 and 2.700 BC.
If one looks at the stone, one inevitably notices the enigmatic oval with two dots, reminiscent of a pair of eyes. Behind these symbols, which at first seem simple, there is much more than meets the eye.
The incisions on the human-sized sandstone column vaguely recall human features. The language of symbols and signs of the menhir from the megalithic tomb at Langeneichstädt provides insights into the complex magical imaginary worlds of more than 5,000 years ago.
A detailed description of the Dolmen Goddess can be found at the eMuseum Himmelswege.
Removal of the capstones during the rescue excavations by the State Museum of Prehistory.
More information and archive materials can be found at the eMuseum Sky Paths.
Ornaments made from animal teeth, copper, bone, and amber were found on the floor of the burial chamber.
Fragments of ceramic vessels of the Walternienburg and Bernburg culture provide evidence for the dating of the grave. Further C14 dating of the few, fragmented human skeletal remains confirmed that the grave was in use in the second half of the 4th millenium B.C.
For more information on the finds visit the eMuseum Sky Paths.
Immediately next to the megalithic chamber tomb and the Dolmen Goddess stands a watchtower. It is part of a high medieval system of territorial border works.
Every year on Whit Sunday the Warteverein e. V. Langeneichstädt (watchtower society) invites to a party at the open-air site. Visitors then have the opportunity to climb the watchtower. On Open Monuments Day members of the society provide information about the watchtower and the Dolmen Goddess.
