Archaeologists in Germany have unearthed a subterranean tunnel system dating back to the Middle Ages, built within a Stone Age burial site. The discovery, made during pre-construction surveys near the village of Dornberg, Saxony-Anhalt, suggests the tunnel was likely used for clandestine activities, possibly including ritual practices.
Initial Findings and the Unexpected Tunnel
The excavation began in late 2025, initially uncovering layers of prehistoric remains: a fourth-millennium B.C. trapezoidal ditch, Neolithic burials from the third millennium B.C., and a Bronze Age burial mound from the second millennium B.C. The site was expected to yield further prehistoric artifacts, but the team unexpectedly found a 2-meter-long, 75-centimeter-wide pit intersecting an ancient burial ditch at a 90-degree angle. This pit soon revealed itself to be part of a larger underground system known as an “erdstall”—a German term for “earth tunnel” or “shaft.”
What Are Earth Tunnels?
Earth tunnels, common in regions with easily workable soil, are subterranean networks of chambers and passages. Hundreds have been found primarily in Bavaria, all believed to be constructed during the Middle Ages. While their exact purpose remains debated, archaeologists don’t believe they were used for permanent habitation. The most plausible theories suggest they were used as hiding places or for secret, possibly cultic, activities.
Artifacts and Evidence of Use
Unlike most earth tunnels, this newly discovered system contained several artifacts: a metal horseshoe, a fox skeleton, ceramic fragments from a spherical pot, and charcoal deposits within a narrow passage. The tunnel entrance was deliberately sealed with large stones, indicating an attempt to conceal the activity inside. These findings suggest someone spent time within the tunnel, possibly lighting a fire and leaving behind personal belongings.
Why This Site?
The tunnel’s location within an ancient burial site raises questions about the builders’ motivations. The original Stone Age ditch would have been visible from above ground even after thousands of years, potentially marking the area as a sacred or otherwise significant space. This could have drawn medieval individuals to the site for ritualistic purposes. Alternatively, the site may have been avoided by locals due to its pagan origins, making it an ideal, secluded hiding place.
“The question arises as to how to interpret the findings,” LDA researchers wrote in their statement. The presence of artifacts suggests deliberate use, while the deliberate sealing of the entrance implies secrecy.
The discovery offers a rare glimpse into the hidden practices of medieval communities, highlighting how they interacted with—and repurposed—ancient landscapes for their own purposes. Further research is needed to understand the full extent of the tunnel system and its true function.
