Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 2,500-year-old Iron Age village in Hüllhorst, western Germany, during preparations for a new municipal fire station.
The discovery was made on Lohagenweg in the Minden-Lübbecke district. The site sits near the Wöhrsiek spring, a natural water source that still flows today. Because early communities often settled near reliable water, heritage authorities had already identified the area as archaeologically sensitive.
Experts from LWL Archaeology for Westphalia supervised the excavation. What began as a routine heritage assessment before construction soon revealed rare structural evidence from the early pre-Roman Iron Age, dating between 800 and 600 BC.
Settlement emerges beneath the construction site
In the summer of 2025, archaeologists removed topsoil in four narrow strips to evaluate the land. Beneath the surface, they identified patches of discolored soil that marked former storage and refuse pits.
More revealing were clusters of small, dark postholes. These circular stains showed where wooden support posts once stood. Although the timber has long decayed, the soil preserved its outline. By mapping these postholes, researchers reconstructed the ground plans of several buildings.
“Alongside two smaller structures, we uncovered the remains of a large dwelling,” said excavation director Hisham Nabo.
The layout shows deliberate planning. The main house was aligned along a northeast–southwest axis. Its narrow ends faced the prevailing winds, a design that would have reduced exposure to harsh weather.
Design reflects environmental knowledge
Researchers say the orientation of the buildings points to a practical understanding of local conditions. Early Iron Age builders adapted their homes to the landscape. The structured layout suggests a stable and organized community rather than a temporary occupation.
Artifacts recovered from the pit fills helped establish an initial date for the settlement. Among the finds were handled cups, including terrines, and coarse-walled pots with rims shaped by finger impressions. These ceramic types are typical of the early Iron Age in the region.
Sebastian Düvel, an Iron Age specialist and scientific adviser with LWL Archaeology for Westphalia, described the discovery as exceptional. He noted that comparable house plans from this period are rare in East Westphalia. Similar structural remains have been recorded only in Werther and Minden, and those were identified only in recent years.
Scientific testing to refine chronology
To narrow the timeline, researchers are conducting radiocarbon tests on charcoal fragments recovered from the postholes. The analysis is expected to confirm the precise age of the settlement and clarify how long it was occupied.
Archaeologists believe the village likely extends further north beyond the excavated area. However, officials confirmed that construction of the fire station will proceed as planned. Excavations were limited to areas directly affected by the development.
Authorities said the archaeological work was completed before building began. Early coordination between municipal officials, archaeologists, and contractors allowed the site to be documented without delaying the project.
The find provides rare insight into early settlement patterns in northwestern Germany. It also shows how modern development can uncover traces of communities that shaped the landscape more than two millennia ago.
