Do you notice the subtle rise in the landscape here? This is no ordinary hill. This is Grabhügel, a burial mound whispering stories from a time long past. It’s a tangible link to the early Hallstatt period. That was around 900 to 600 years before Christ.
The Bodanrück, where we stand, was a hub of activity. Many people called this area home back then. Numerous archaeological sites dot the landscape. Over 170 burial mounds have been identified in the district of Konstanz alone. Grabhügel is one of several found on the southeastern Bodanrück. It lies between Hegne, Reichenau-Waldsiedlung, and Dettingen.
Don’t expect to find royal treasures here. This isn’t Heuneburg or the Prince of Hochdorf’s tomb. Those sites date from the later Hallstatt D period. Think instead of wealthy Celtic farm owners. They lived on the Bodanrück. They were somewhat removed from the major trade routes of the time.
It’s no accident that these Grabhügel are on hills. These hills are called drumlins. Drumlins are oval hills formed by glacial activity. They are common in this landscape. The Ameisenberg, the Schwarzenberg, and the Rossrücken are all examples of drumlins.
Around 1300 to 900 BC, a significant climate change occurred. Temperatures dropped. Rainfall increased dramatically. People had to adapt quickly. Within about 50 years, life changed drastically.
Farming gave way to livestock management. People moved from large villages to scattered farms. Marshes spread near Lake Constance. Only the drumlins remained as usable land. Even parts of these limited areas were used as cemeteries. This highlights how much respect was given to the dead in this culture.
Burial practices also changed. Cremation, common in the preceding Urnfield culture, was replaced by earth burials. These burials were done within Grabhügel. The deceased was laid directly on the ground. They were buried with grave goods. These included weapons, dishes, jewelry, and food. A burial chamber of wood or stone was built around them. Then, the mound was built on top. Often, later burials took place around the central chamber. These were usually family members. The mound grew in size with each new burial.
Many Grabhügel show signs of early excavations. These often look like a central depression. Archaeologists call this “central pitting.” This excavation method was common between 1870 and 1910. It involved digging a funnel-shaped hole from the top of the mound. These digs became popular. This was thanks to Schliemann’s discoveries in Troy. Local dignitaries often tried their hand at archaeology. Unfortunately, no records exist of these early excavations on the Bodanrück.
On the Schwarzenberg, near a group of Grabhügel, lies a unique earthwork. It’s a flat platform made of earth, only about 30 cm high. It’s unclear if this was a cult site. This is a common explanation when the purpose of a find is unknown. Or it might have been the prepared base for a Grabhügel that was never built.
Some Grabhügel even reveal the grave chamber. This is thanks to looters. You can still see the original position of the capstone in some of these. These capstones are made of molasse sandstone. This type of stone is only found from Überlingen onwards. It had to be transported many kilometers to reach this location.
So, as you stand here before this Grabhügel, remember the people who lived here. They adapted to changing times. They honored their dead. They left behind these silent monuments as a testament to their existence. Each mound holds secrets. Each offers a glimpse into a distant past.