UB palynologists study the exceptional textile remains of the Celtic Hochdorf grave, in Germany
The UB researchers Yolanda Llergo and Santiago Riera, palynologists from the Prehistoric Studies and Research Seminar of the UB (SERP), led by the UB professor Josep Maria Fullola, have set off a study of the textile remains of a prince grave from the 6th century BC in Hochdorf (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany). The importance of this archaeological discovery is stressed by the rich grave goods (jewellery, arms and furniture made of wood, bronze and gold) preserved on it which belonged to a Celtic figure who held a high position in the Hallstatt society, a Central European culture who experienced the transition from Brozen Age to Iron Age. The excellent preservation of the grave made possible to confirm that it contained some rich textile grave goods. These remains characterize the discovery as exceptional because textiles are scarcely preserved in archaelogical sites.
The UB researchers Yolanda Llergo and Santiago Riera, palynologists from the Prehistoric Studies and Research Seminar of the UB (SERP), led by the UB professor Josep Maria Fullola, have set off a study of the textile remains of a prince grave from the 6th century BC in Hochdorf (Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany). The importance of this archaeological discovery is stressed by the rich grave goods (jewellery, arms and furniture made of wood, bronze and gold) preserved on it which belonged to a Celtic figure who held a high position in the Hallstatt society, a Central European culture who experienced the transition from Brozen Age to Iron Age. The excellent preservation of the grave made possible to confirm that it contained some rich textile grave goods. These remains characterize the discovery as exceptional because textiles are scarcely preserved in archaelogical sites.
The grave, discovered in 1978 in Hochdorf, was under a six-metre high tumulus; evidences show that up to eight people had a dinner to honour the deceased. They drank, from horns with gold foil ornament, the mead contained by a 500 litres cauldron. In the case of textile remains, it was proved that the deceased wore a blue dress and was wrapped in several light clothes of strong colours. Moreover, the walls and floor of the chamber were entirely covered with woven and embroidered textiles and all was decorated with flowers.