Iron Age
Starting in the 6th century BC, the use of iron as a material begins in the north. During the 1st century BC, Roman troops and German tribes conquer Celtic territory and join up on the Rhine and Danube. As a result, the exchange of information and material arises. Names and acts by the population in the north become known in the Roman Empire and are recorded. The Teutons step into the light of Roman historiography.
Numerous tombs, several bog bodies as well as sumptuous treasure and sacrificial finds from the period up until the 4th century AD offer a unique source basis for Schleswig-Holstein’s prehistory and early history in connection with accompanying written Roman documentation.
People during the Iron Age - bog bodies
The bog bodies belong to the most impressive Archaeological Museum Schloss Gottorf exhibits. The up to 2500 year-old mummified corpses are exceptionally well-kept thanks to the conservational effect of bogs. The also provide an insight into the deceased persons’ living conditions, information about their appearance and their individual destinies.
In particular, the so-called Child of Windeby sheds light on the life of the people during the Iron Age in a particularly fascinating manner. DNA analyses and anthropological classification have shown that the child was 15 or 16 years old, suffered from hunger and probably died as a result of a severe tooth disease.
The circumstances of the deaths of the bog bodies are varied, they range from natural causes to violent death. Their depositing in the moors can also have different reasons. Were the people victims of a crime and their corpses disposed of in the moor? Were they maybe also sacrificed to the gods or brought to the moor as a punishment? Or were they buried there?
In addition to the bog bodies, anthropological examinations of so-called cremains – the remains from dead persons following cremation – help to discover something about the gender and age of the person buried as well as sometimes about diseases or injuries. The numerous funeral urns and the items found in them next to the cremains such as metallic clasps and parts of belts, weapons, arm and finger rings as well as glass beads are typical for traditional costume and provide information regarding the gender and social status.
Nydam and Thorsberg. Iron Age sacrificial sites
During the 3rd and 4th centuries AD, fierce battles were fought in the western Baltic Sea region. The loser’s weapons and equipment were sacrificed by the winners in holy lakes and moors as a thank-you to the helpful deity. Two of these sacrificial sites enjoy an international reputation today; the Nydam moors in southern Denmark and the Thorsberg moors in the north of Schleswig-Holstein. They were unearthed by the Danish archaeologist Conrad Engelhardt around the middle of the 19th century.
The findings from both of these sacrificial sites with the spoils of war include rank insignia items from the generals in addition to traditional costume elements, weapons, riding accessories and items of daily use. They include golden ring jewellery and splendid belt fittings. In particular, the gold-plated disks ornamented with figures and the face mask from a Teutonic golden and silver helmet belong to the nationwide known and famous findings. In addition to the precious materials, they excel with their unique artistic and artisan level and belong to the most impressive documents of Teutonic art.
The Nydam Boat sunk – discovered – researched
The famous Nydam Boat from the Teutonic period is located both thematically and artistically in the limelight of the Nydam hall at Schloss Gottorf. It is not only one of the largest exhibits in the Archaeological Museum Schloss Gottorf, but also alongside this an exhibit with special aesthetics and which is exceptionally well preserved – and therefor also highly significant for academia.
The discovery of the 23-metre-long oak wood ship in the Nydam moor close to Sønderborg (Denmark) by the teacher and archaeologist Conrad Engelhardt on August 17, 1863 was a sensation for archaeology in north Europe: for the first time it was possible to salvage and examine a prehistoric seaworthy ship which was placed in water more 1500 years previously. However, the German-Danish war the started. A long-lasting odyssey begins for the Nydam Boat until it finally arrives at today’s location, the Schleswig museum island, in spring 1947.
In this unique, separate exhibition, visitors cannot only marvel at the Nydam Boat which was constructed in 320 AD, they also experience everything about its meaning and fascinating history, the salvaging of further parts of ships from the Nydam moor - to-date we know a total of three ships from the place of finding - on Iron Age ship construction technology and equipping with ship equipment items as well as aspects of maritime navigation during the first centuries AD. The reception history of the Nydam Boat and its role in the changing relationship between Germany and Denmark since 1863/4 is just important a part of the exhibition and is illustrated with contemporary documents and ship models.
