Prehistoric settlement
The area around Hersbruck was already populated in prehistoric times. An important urn burial ground was discovered in the Altensittenbach part of the municipality, which documents settlement during the following phases: early period 1100–1050 BC. BC, middle period 1050–950 BC. BC, later period 950–900 BC. This means that it is the period of the Late Bronze Age 1200 to 800 BC. The discovery of Altensittenbach is considered the most important in Middle Franconia. An associated settlement was not discovered, but according to experts, it was possibly located northeast of the urn field under today's settlement at Schmausenbuck and the railway embankment that was built in the 19th century[5][6].
There are burial mounds on the Hutanger of the Altensittenbach district, at the foot of the Großer Hansgörgl. These are also dated to the older Urnfield period[7].
On the Houbirg, approx. 3 km east of Hersbruck, there is a Celtic rampart from the Hallstatt period and early La Tène period (approx. 500 BC to around 330 BC).
Origin, first documented mention, name
Hersbruck, water gate, 1920
In 976, Wiltrud von Bergen, the widow of Duke Berthold of Bavaria, founded the Bergen monastery near Neuburg an der Donau. In the monastery chronicle from the 14th century, extensive property belonging to “Herßpruck and therefore” is mentioned as the monastery's equipment when it was founded. However, the name Hersbruck does not appear in the document from 976[8]. The manorial estate “Propstei Hersbruck” emerges from the extensive monastery property in Hersbruck. In the 11th and 12th centuries Hersbruck was the seat of a monastery convent and at times Hersbruck was also the seat of the monastery. In 1103 the “Abbatissa de Haderichsbrucgen” was mentioned.[9]
The place name Hatheresburgdi first appeared in 1003 in connection with a military conflict between King Henry II and Count Heinrich von Schweinfurt, the margrave of the Bavarian Nordgau.[10]
The name of the city is probably derived from Haderihesprucga, the bridge of Haderich. The deer shown on the bridge in the city's coat of arms can therefore be assumed to be a misrepresentative image.
Source: Wikipedia