Hopen Burial Mounds

A small piece of dry grass is the last remnant of the originally extensive heathland, which only disappeared through cultivation in the 19th century. It comprises what was once a much larger field of a few larger and many smaller burial mounds, the former of which may be of the Bronze Age, the latter predominantly of the pre-Roman Iron Age.

The Hopen burial mound field near Sankt Michaelisdonn in Schleswig-Holstein is an important archaeological site with a long history. The burial mounds mostly date from the Bronze Age (around 1800 - 1000 BC) and the pre-Roman Iron Age. The site, which originally covered extensive heathland, now consists of a few larger and many smaller burial mounds. The larger mounds are typical of the older Bronze Age and have often been enlarged by multiple reburials.The smaller burial mounds usually house urn graves containing the ashes of the deceased. Despite the cultivation and changes to the landscape since the 19th century, some of these historic sites have been preserved and offer interesting insights into burial practices and life at the time.The Hopen burial mound field is now a popular destination for hiking and cycling. Visitors can explore the remains of the mounds and learn more about the history and archaeology of the region. There are also other attractions nearby such as St. Michaelisdonn Airport and St. Michael's Church.