Heunischenburg

The Heunischenburg is a stone fortification of the late Urnfield period near the Upper Franconian town of Kronach in Germany [1]. Its heyday was in the 9th century BC, making it the oldest stone fortification north of the Alps that is known and archaeologically investigated [1]. The fort is located on a 486-metre-high hill spur of the Wolfsberg [1]. The strong, but small fort and the many weapons found distinguish the Heunischenburg clearly from the great centres of settlement of the late Bronze Age [1]. In the first period (10th century BC) the Heunischenburg was constructed as a palisaded fortification [1]. In the second period (10th century BC) the defences were reinforced with a sandstone wall that probably burned down during a battle [1]. In the third period (9th century) the Heunischenburg was expanded into a strong hillfort [1]. The archaeological dating of the site is based on numerous bronze finds, about 70% of which are weapons [1].