Underwater archaeologists find millennia-old timbers in Arendsee
The relics, up to 10,500 years old, date to the Mesolithic and lay at a depth of around 20 meters.
IllustrationAt a glance
- Finds are up to 10,500 years old and date from the Mesolithic
- Geological subsidence over a salt dome preserved the wood from decay
- Exact function of the wooden structures is still under investigation
In Arendsee in the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel district, underwater archaeologists have discovered worked timbers up to 10,500 years old. The State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Sachsen-Anhalt announced the discovery on September 30, 2026.
The finds date to the Mesolithic, when humans lived as hunters, gatherers, and fishers. Experts are still examining whether the relics are remnants of residential dwellings or previously unknown wooden structures. State Archaeologist Harald Meller said such timbers from this epoch are preserved only very rarely. Traces of buildings in central Germany are otherwise known solely as soil discolorations.
Special conditions on the lake bed
The preservation of the wood is linked to the geology of the body of water. The lake bed does not silt up, but slowly subsides over a salt dome. For this reason, the finds now rest beneath a thin layer of sediment at a water depth of around 20 meters.
Arendsee has drawn attention for archaeological discoveries in the past. During previous investigations, Neolithic fish weirs, a High Middle Ages barge, and a Late Middle Ages dugout canoe were recovered there.
Sources
- Presseinformation: Reste von über 10.000 Jahre alten Holzkonstruktionen im Arendsee gefunden – LDA Sachsen-Anhalt
- Reste von über 10.000 Jahre alten mittelsteinzeitlichen Holzkonstruktionen im Arendsee gefunden – Archäologie Online
This report is based on the sources above (in German). Spotted an error? Email desk@lindenpost.com or read our corrections policy.
