Ancient site · Germany · Partial ruin

Herxheim

Herxheim is a Neolithic archaeological site in southwestern Germany associated with the Linear Pottery culture (LBK). The site consists of a large village footprint surrounded by a triple, semi-circular sequence of ovoid pits that contain shattered human and animal remains, pottery, and stone tools. Excavations revealed large numbers of processed human bones and skull vaults (calottes) within the pits, deposited during the site's final phase of use.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

5000 BC

Today

Partial ruin

As it stood in 5000 BC

The shape it held in its prime.

A broad, low earthwork forming a triple semi-circular enclosure cut into brown loamy soil, its rim broken by dozens of ovoid pits visible as dark hollows. Many pits are filled with mixed pale bone fragments, chalky skull vaults, and angular pottery sherds; scattered flint flakes gleam amid soil. The settlement area within the enclosure is an open expanse pocked by trapezoidal and triangular pits and occasional shallow posthole traces, all on a gently rolling farmland plain.

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7 places to explore in 5000 BC.

The record describes 7 distinct spots at Herxheim — the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Exterior approach across the surrounding plainOverview along the enclosure ditchInterior of an ovoid pit with mixed depositsClose-up of a pit deposit with skull calottes and potteryCross-section of a filled pit showing stratified layersInterior settlement area with trapezoidal pitsCluster of prepared skull calottes within a deposit

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