Heunischenburg

A late Urnfield period stone fortification near Kronach in Upper Franconia, Germany, with its heyday in the 9th century BC, making it the oldest known stone fortification north of the Alps. Located on a 486-metre hill spur, it likely guarded a copper and tin trading route. Finds include about 70% weapons among numerous bronzes, plus needles, razors, and arrowheads -- many undeburred, suggesting high munitions consumption during garrison operations. A wall section and gateway tower were reconstructed in 1986 and 2000.