Hochdorf Chieftain's Grave
Fürstengrab von Hochdorf
Germany · Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg
In brief
The mound, fully excavated in 1978–1979, contained a rich, unlooted wooden burial chamber. Textiles and other organic remains were preserved alongside the metal objects.
What was found?
- 1Bronze couch
This is the bronze piece of furniture on which the deceased was laid. It demonstrates the careful arrangement of the grave and the application of metalworking to everyday furniture forms.
- 2Gold neck ring
This is a gold ornament found among the personal adornments in the grave. Together with other valuable objects, it indicates the person's privileged status.
- 3Large bronze cauldron
This is a large vessel produced in the western Greek world and placed in the grave with mead. It is important evidence for Mediterranean connections and practices associated with serving drink.
- 4Nine drinking horns
These are drinking vessels found hanging in the burial chamber. Together with other serving vessels, they show the place of communal eating and drinking in the grave furnishings.
- 5Wagon and the vessels on it
This is a wagon placed in the eastern part of the burial chamber. The feasting vessels arranged on it show that the vehicle was also part of the burial arrangement.
What does it point to?
The valuable jewelry, imported cauldron and drinking set indicate that wealth was incorporated into the funerary arrangement. According to researchers, graves of this kind are associated with early Celtic elites; the titles prince or chieftain used for the individual are not documented official titles.
What did it teach us?
- It enabled the arrangement of objects in an unlooted elite grave to be documented in detail.
- It showed that a vessel of Mediterranean origin reached an elite grave north of the Alps.
- Textiles and other organic remains revealed that the grave furnishings were far more varied than the metal objects alone.
Images




Record
- Culture
- Hallstatt; early Celtic
- First modern dig
- 1978
- Team / historical
- Jörg Biel; Baden-Württemberg State Office for Monument Preservation
- Coordinates
- 48.8892°, 9.0033°
Sources
Nearby excavations
- Hohle Fels Cave 79 km
- Glauberg Celtic Settlement 157 km
- Vix–Mont Lassois Settlement and Burial Site 348 km
- Schöningen Spear Horizon 387 km
- Pömmelte Ring Sanctuary 398 km
- Bibracte 430 km
- —
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- 12.000
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