Czechia Unearths Europe's Lengthiest Prehistoric Mound in Hradec Králové

Europe’s longest prehistoric mound has been unearthed by Czech archaeologists in the Hradec Králové region of East Bohemia, according to the Department of Archaeology at the University of Hradec Králové. During road construction between Dlouhé Dvory and Lípa, researchers stumbled upon an elongated trapezoidal gutter, a structure commonly associated with ancient burial mounds known as long barrows. This remarkable discovery, located near the village of Dohalice along the future motorway route, spans approximately 190 meters in length and boasts a maximum width of 15 meters. This was reported by SSPDaily.

Believed to belong to the Eneolithic period and the Funnel-Beaker culture (3800-3350 BC), this burial site represents one of the longer monuments of its kind in Central Europe. The physical mound was largely erased due to agricultural activities. However, the digging team successfully unearthed the entrance to the barrow in the form of a posthole and a gutter.

The excavation yielded fascinating findings, including two central burials, which indicate the individuals for whom the mound was likely constructed, as well as an additional 28 burials. These graves, along with the mound itself, are estimated to be over 5,300 years old. Further examination in laboratories will provide more precise dating.

The archaeologists described the burials, stating, "The burial mounds were built as monumental funerary objects and contain graves, with central burials considered the individuals for whom the mound was constructed." They added, "In our case, two central burials were recorded." The first central burial featured a grave structure enclosed by gutters on the longer sides and postholes at the corners. Inside, a ceramic vessel was discovered, and the body rested on its left side facing north. The second central burial lacked an internal structure, and the body was similarly positioned on the left side.

Accompanying these central burials were various offerings found within the vicinity. One grave contained pottery fragments, while another held four flint arrowheads and a flint blade.

The grave inventory found matches similar sites in both the Czech Republic and Poland, showcasing a consistency in burial practices during that era. This remarkable archaeological discovery provides valuable insights into prehistoric cultures and their beliefs surrounding death and funerary rituals.