Massive meeting hall of legendary king unearthed in Germany. See the ancient ruins
Underneath a grassy field in Germany sat the ruins of a monumental building. Its glory days had come and gone, shrouded by time and obscured by dirt.
Not anymore.
Archaeologists were excavating an area near the Royal Tomb of Seddin when they uncovered the forgotten building, the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture in Brandenburg said in a Nov. 1 news release.
The Royal Tomb of Seddin is a sprawling and elaborate burial mound for the legendary King Hinz, archaeologists said. The burial dates from the 9th century B.C. and boasts rich furnishings.
About 800 feet away from the tomb, archaeologists unearthed the ruins of a massive structure. The rectangular building, at about 33 feet wide and 102 feet long, is estimated to have stood around 23 feet tall, the release said.
Aerial photos show the long, skinny building and surrounding field. Archaeologists described the ancient structure as monumental and unparalleled. It’s the largest known meeting hall from the Nordic Bronze Age, the release said.
Archaeologists identified the structure as a 2,800-year-old meeting hall of the legendary King Hinz. A photo shows what the hall might have looked like in its prime.
The meeting hall dates to the 9th or 10th century B.C., making it slightly older than the nearby royal tomb, archaeologists said.
Inside the ruined hall, excavations uncovered a central fireplace and small pottery vessel, which archaeologists identified as part of a ritual offering, the release said.
A close-up photo shared on Facebook by the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture in Brandenburg shows some large stones used in the hall’s construction.
The Royal Tomb of Seddin is in Prignitz District, about 80 miles northwest of Berlin.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release and Facebook post from the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture in Brandenburg.
This story was originally published November 7, 2023 at 12:32 PM with the headline "Massive meeting hall of legendary king unearthed in Germany. See the ancient ruins."
