Magdalenian site Bad Kösen, Lengefeld
In the course of investigating regionalisation of the Magdalenian, the site of Bad Kösen – Lengefeld is being excavated systematically. This is conducted in collaboration with the Landesamtes für Bodendenkmalpflege Sachsen-Anhalt and the University of Erlangen for several years now.
About 2 kilometres south of the village of Bad Kösen, the site is situated on a promontory over the Saale river. Surveys during the 1950s and 1960s already showed the presence of several find concentrations of a Palaeolithic open air site. Since 2008 excavations are taking place on this location. Currently, more than 80 m² have been documented.
Large concentrations of limestone and sandstone plates, which are interpreted as the base of activity zones determine the main character of the site. They were primarily documented in the area of the former activity layer and document their intentional introduction into the site. Besides, several pits were documented which potentially are related to shelters, which could have been constructed on site. The pits are arranged around the fireplaces on this open air site. Here, concentrations of remnants of the tool production could also be documented as well as traces of hunted prey, such as horse and reindeer.
The site of Bad Kösen Lengefeld is to be seen in the context of other Magdalenian settlement sites, which could be found in the river areas of the central uplands. Close to Bad Kösen are the sites of Saaleck, Bad Frankenhausen, Groitsch and Oelknitz.
Publications
J. Richter, Th. Uthmeier, A. Maier (Hrsg.) Der Magdalénien-Fundplatz Bad Kösen-Lengefeld an der Saale (Halle 2021).