Die jungbronzezeitliche Außßensiedlung der ''Hüünenburg'' bei Watenstedt, Lkr. Helmstedt. Vorbericht üüber die Ausgrabungen 2005--2007.

The Harz Mountains (Lower Saxony, Germany) are the northernmost mountain ridge of the middle-European highlands. At their northern slopes sites of the so-called Saalemüündungsgruppe of the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age are situated. This cultural group is characterized by the presence of urnfields, open settlements and some hillforts, the latter comprises the Hüünenburg near Watenstedt, Kr. Helmstedt. The environs of this hillfort are characterized by the presence of further sites, comprising graves, hoards and areas of surface findings. Analysis of the stray finds from an area south of the hillfort, geophysical surveys and first excavations allowed to identify and to investigate an open settlement of about 5,5 ha, situated outside of the ramparts and with still unknown limits. Some plans of houses could be identified. The settlement has revealed finds indicating religious activities and metalworking. Crucibles, grinding stones and casting moulds were found. The casting mould of a ''Griffzungenschwert'' allows to trace high specialised metalworkers at the Hüünenburg. Different scientific analyses, for example geophysical surveys, archaeozoological and archaeobotanical studies, were performed. This paper focuses on first results obtained from the excavations campaigns 2005 to 2007, conducted within the framework of the interdisciplinary research project ''Periphery and centre. The Hüünenburg near Watenstedt, Lkr. Helmstedt. -- A hillfort in the contact zone between the Lusation culture and the Nordic Bronze Age''. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]