The well of the linearbandceramic culture from Brodau (Saxony). Archaeological work chronicle
During the last almost 20 years of large scale excavations 13 wooden wells were found within settlements of the early Neolithic epoch in the german federal state of Saxony. Unlike most of the early neolithic wells, which generally were built of chest-like constructions of radially cleft oak planks, the one from the site Brodau, consisted of a hollow maple trunk. At the bottom of the well-filling the preservation for organic material was quite good. The well in Brodau is also remarkable for another reason. Outside the stabilising frame two approximately ten weeks old piglets were buried in the fill of the construction pit. As the intentional deposition cannot be questioned, the piglets can be interpreted as being part of a founding sacrifice.