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Project to finalize the evaluation of one of the most important early Celtic archaeological find complexes in Europe has begun.
With substantial funding from the Hessian Cultural Foundation, one of the central research projects on the archaeology of Hesse and the European Iron Age has now regained momentum: the project „Evaluation of the Glauberg finds“. The aim of this multi-year project is to produce a comprehensive and final scientific analysis of the three rich early Celtic graves from Glauberg, the famous sandstone statues, and the overall archaeological record. This will finally allow a research gap that has existed for decades to be systematically addressed and brought to a conclusion.
Glauberg is one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe. The rich graves, the monumental remains of the burial complex, and especially the almost completely preserved sandstone statue of the so-called "Celtic prince"—acquired with the support of the Hessian Cultural Foundation—have brought the site international renown. Despite this outstanding significance, a comprehensive and conclusive scientific analysis and publication of the finds and discoveries has been lacking until now. This is precisely where the project now underway comes in.
At the heart of the project is the creation of a scholarly catalogue of the finds and discoveries, systematically documenting, analyzing, and contextualizing them for the first time. This will be complemented by a digital edition and a special exhibition that will make the new research findings accessible to a wider public. The project thus combines fundamental archaeological research with innovative methods of public communication.
As project manager, I was able PD Dr. Markus Schußmann The project team will be strengthened by the appointment of a candidate who has been working on the project since March. He possesses the necessary expertise for this task: From 2021 to 2024, he played a key role in developing the successful application for the national UNESCO Tentative List, laying essential scientific, conceptual, and organizational foundations upon which the project now directly builds.
Plans for the coming years include the post-processing of more than 7,000 newly created object photographs, the revision and supplementation of drawings, the scholarly editing of a catalogue, the contextual evaluation of the overall findings, and the conception of a special exhibition. The publication will be released in both print and digital open access formats, thus ensuring its permanent availability both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Marcus Coesfeld, director of the Celtic World at Glauberg, explains:
„"The funding from the Hessian Cultural Foundation makes possible a project that has long been of central importance to research on the Glauberg. The extraordinary finds from the Glauberg are among the most important evidence of the early Celts in Europe. The fact that their final scientific analysis can now begin is a great gain for archaeology, for Hesse, and for the public communication of our cultural heritage."“
The funding makes it possible to systematically combine and elevate existing preliminary work – including scientific investigations, restorations, documentation, and recent research contributions – to a new level. In doing so, the project not only strengthens research on Glauberg itself, but also enhances Hesse's visibility as a significant center for archaeological research and cultural exchange.
„"The interplay between the expansive archaeological park and the museum, richly stocked with significant artifacts, makes the Celtic World at Glauberg a truly special place, vividly bringing to life the long-vanished culture of the Celts and their remarkable artistry. Supporting the internationally networked research center located there, subjecting the finds unearthed at Glauberg to a final scientific examination, and presenting them in an accessible way for the general public was a key priority for us – after all, this not only fulfills a long-standing need but also represents a crucial step for archaeology and its dissemination in Hesse and beyond, making it available digitally to the entire interested public. We are delighted that Dr. Markus Schußmann has been entrusted with this important project. We wish him and the Celtic World team every success and look forward to the catalog of the collection and the final special exhibition.".“" explained Eva Claudia Scholtz, Managing Director of the Hessian Cultural Foundation.
The project is planned for the years 2026 to 2028 The project is planned to conclude with the publication of the complete work, an accompanying popular science volume, and the opening of a special exhibition that will offer new perspectives on the "Prince" of Glauberg and his environment.
Caption
From left to right: Christoph Röder, Markus Schußmann (Celtic World at Glauberg), Eva Claudia Scholtz (Hessian Cultural Foundation), Axel G. Posluschny, Marcus Coesfeld (Celtic World at Glauberg)