Propylaeum

In the "Aue" area on the north-eastern edge of the small town of Bruchsal in Baden, a double ditch from the Michelsberg culture (around 4300–3600 BC) was discovered in 1986 by aerial survey. In 1987–1993, the ditches, which were preserved over a length of around 550 m, were archaeologically investigated almost in their entirety. A surprising discovery were six burial pits at the edge and under the base of the outer ditch with the skeletons of nine children and seven adults, some in a regular and some in an irregular position.

The carefully documented excavation allowed a detailed reconstruction of the building history of the ditch complex. The analysis of the features revealed that the earthwork never existed in its appearance as it is today, but that it is the result of various anthropogenic and natural transformations over a period of six centuries. However, the discussion about the function of the Michelsberg earthworks cannot be settled in Bruchsal “Aue” either – there are indications of a profane settlement use with a defensive character as well as of cultic or ritual activities.