German 'Stonehenge' opens to the public

[Judi Lynn]

German 'Stonehenge' opens to the public

One of the most important relics of the Bronze Age, an ancient site known as the German Stonehenge, has opened to the public after years of reconstruction.

The "Ringheiligtum Pömmelte" as it is known thanks to its location near the eastern German town of Pömemlte, celebrated its opening as a cultural site on Tuesday (20.6.2016).

The formation, known as the Stonehenge of Germany, is estimated to be around 4,300 years old and was discovered in 1999 in the forest near the banks of the Elbe River. Made of wood, the archaeological wonder has not withstood the test of time well and has since been entirely reconstructed at a cost of 2 million euros ($2.27 million).

Comprising an arrangement of rings seven layers deep, the configuration is thought to have been of great significance from the 21st to 23rd centuries BC - the time in which the world was transitioning from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age.

The pre-historic site is presumed to have served as a power center to the elite. Carvings found in the wood that are thought to symbolize the cosmos suggest the area was of importance in religious ceremonies and perhaps played a significant role in offerings.

More:
http://www.dw.com/en/german-stonehenge-opens-to-the-public/a-19345577

[Nitram]

1. Very interesting, but it leaves some important questions unanswered.

How was the site re-constructed? How was the wood preserved over 4,300 years in a non-desert environment? How much of the reconstruction (including painting and colors chosen) is guess-work or pure speculation?