Groß Raden Archaeological Open Air Museum

The archaeological open air museum Gross Raden is located a few kilometers north of the small town of Sternberg and approximately one kilometer northeast of the village of Groß Raden in Mecklenburg- Vorpommern in the area of ​​lowlands, which is directly adjacent to the Grand Radener lake. On a barrier peninsula of the already visible from afar circular hillfort lies with a diameter of 50 meters. 1973-1980 found here under the direction of Ewald Schuldt extensive excavations were carried out in the course of the remains of a Slavic settlement of the 9th and 10th centuries were uncovered. The castle was reconstructed from the ruins and set up as an archaeological open air museum. It also findings of Slawenburg Behren- Lübchin were used.

History

Ewald Schuldt had conducted extensive studies in the old Slavic settlement chamber at Sternberger See the castles Gross Raden, United Görnow and the Sternberg castle since 1973. After completion of the excavations he began to build in Groß Raden an archaeological open-air museum Gross Raden, which should be based on the local excavations. Ewald Schuldt got the templates for the construction of the museum building, were the models in order and created the concept for the exhibition as well as the documents for the buildings to be erected in the open air part; he procured by his good relations with the council of the district and the district government, many of the necessary materials. 1984, the foundation stone was laid for the museum house. The opening of the museum " slawic Tempelort Gross Raden " took place in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Higher and Specialised Education Gerhard Engel on May 13, 1987. It should be a lesson to the Slavic culture in the Mecklenburg area. Ewald Schuldt lived to see the inauguration of the museum, but a few days later he died after a long, incurable disease on 1 June 1987 at the age of 73 years. After the death Schuldts Horst Keiling took over the management of the museum. After the fall of the museum was completed and initially supported by a development association.

Earlier buildings in the immediate vicinity

As early as the 7th century was about three kilometers west of the reconstructed plant an early- Slavic castle complex in the area of the nature reserve transverse valley of the River Warnow, Mildenitz. This Sternberger castle lay between the rivers Mildenitz and Warnow in the region of confluence. Builders are likely to support the so-called Sukow - Szeligi group have been, who are among the first Slavic immigrants in the territory of today's Germany. On a ridge north of the castle, the castle of Great Görnow was built by new, also Slavic people a little later. These new immigrants are attributed Because of pottery finds the field Berger Group. In the 9th century, finally followed the Slawenburg Gross Raden on an island in Lake Sternberger.

The Wallburg Gross Raden

Schuldt shared the findings in two phases one: a fortified older settlement, which was created about in the second half of the 9th century, and destroyed a few decades later, and shortly afterwards built a second settlement. With an area of ​​7000 m² nearly half of the populated area was excavated. The archaeologists expected well-preserved findings, because the housing estate had been for centuries used exclusively as pasture. In addition, due to the extremely high water table, organic materials were very well received, so much of the wooden components was found in situ.

The excavations also showed that the topographical conditions had changed significantly as a result of continuous sedimentation processes since the Slavic colonization. So did not exist today peninsula 1,000 years ago. The hillfort was rather on a barrier island that was only connected by a bridge to the settlement on the then much smaller peninsula. The populated peninsula was protected by a 4.5 meter wide Sohlgraben and by a single row of palisade with battlements. The only access formed a pincer gate with bridge. In the first decades of the main settlement was likely composed of about 40 closely adjacent houses. These had with an area of ​​4 × 5 meters, simple sand floor and a hearth on a nearly identical design. Isolated in the southeastern part of the peninsula is an approximately 7 × 11 -meter building, wide oak planks. Whether this building was roofed or open at the top, is unclear. After the victim traces the human head-like Steles, the so-called head piles, and the specific situation of the plant to close, it would have probably been a temple with a sanctuary or the resident Slavic population of Warnower tribe. In open areas between the buildings and the palisade probably were regular markets and gatherings.

Decline of Wallburg

Around the year 900 the settlement was completely destroyed. This is indicated by significant traces of fire, especially in the area of the palisade and the entry gate. Also, the shrine was not spared. The settlement was then quickly rebuilt, but this time the houses were erected in block construction. With surface areas up to 45 m², they were also significantly larger than the older Flechtwandhäuser. The site of the destroyed temple remained untouched, the sanctuary itself was constructed in a completely different design to the island. By way of protection you put a circular, 10 -meter high castle wall with an inner diameter of 25 meters. As an additional security checkpoints was built as a gatehouse on the bridge halfway to Tempelburg. At the end of the 10th century the settlement was finally abandoned after it was believed to have come again to destruction. The reasons of the destruction are not clear, after all, appears a relationship with a for the year 995 historical tradition of campaign Otto III. conceivable against the Slavs established in Mecklenburg.