Löbsal Castle Hill

Prehistoric settlements

Although the Löbsaler Burgberg is the smallest of the sites on the Rauhen Furt, it has the longest history of use. Stone tools show that the area was already frequented by people during the Neolithic period. The castle hill was first inhabited during the Early Bronze Age (around 1800-1600 BC), as pottery finds, including those from the Aunjetitz culture (picture), show. However, the main mass is made up of ceramic and bronze finds from the Lusatian culture and the Billendorf group of the later Bronze Age and early Iron Age (around 1100-500 BC). Cast remains and bronze fragments also indicate metal production on the castle hill. To a lesser extent, there are also sherds from the older Latène period (up to around 300 BC). During these periods, the castle hill was probably continuously inhabited, apart from short gaps.

Image Source K. Simon 1991, Abb. 2.

Slavic settlement

It was not until the early Middle Ages (9th/10th century AD) that the Slavic Daleminzians (also known as Glomací) took possession of the castle hill again after an interruption of over a thousand years. The still visible prehistoric wood-earth ramparts were refortified. The terracing of the site was probably also carried out at this time. Numerous pottery fragments, remains of fireplaces and, above all, the thick cultural layer packages are evidence of the intensive use and settlement of the plateau at this time.

Image Source W.Coblenz, Karte ©LfA 1953.

Liubusua

Researchers recently succeeded in identifying the Löbsaler Burgberg as the castle "Liubusua" mentioned several times in the chronicle of Thietmar of Merseburg († 1018). In 928/929, Henry I conquered "Gana", the main castle of the Slavic Daleminzians, founded the city of Meissen (929) and subsequently besieged the castle "Liubusua" for a long time. In the end, the inhabitants had to retreat to a lower fortification (left in the picture) and were finally forced to surrender. This may refer to the section fortification in the north-west (center left).

Image Source R. Heynowski, Foto ©LfA 2009.

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The recapture of the castle hill

Thietmar also reports that in January 1012, on the advice of a few, Henry II had the previously desolate castle rebuilt and reinforced within 14 days. In August of the same year, however, the castle hill was conquered again by the Polish king Bolesław Chobry, who, according to the chronicler, is said to have caused a bloodbath among the 1000-strong garrison. Due to a flood on the Elbe, the German warriors (probably camped on the Göhrisch redoubt) were unable to cross over and come to the aid of the castle's inhabitants. A male skull found on the plateau in 1988 gives an indication of the bloody battle. A 5 cm long and 1 cm deep notch mark can be seen on the left side of the skull, probably from a fatal sword blow.

Image Source R. Spehr, Foto ©LfA 2010.

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The tower hill castle

The castle "Libuze", mentioned again in 1123, belonged to the official territory of the Meissen burgraves. Duke Lothar of Saxony, who later became emperor, besieged Libuze in the course of a dispute with Emperor Henry V. He took the son of the lord of the castle of Meissen hostage and left without destroying the castle. Later, the rampart connecting the Löbsal castle hill with the hinterland was raised and expanded into a tower hill castle. However, it probably fell into disuse after just a few decades. While the tower mound is difficult to see today in the high forest, its impressive size and good state of preservation are clearly visible in historical photos (1910).

Image Source Foto ©LfA 1910.

Use as arable land

The Burgberg has been a listed building since 1934. Until 1965, the plateau was used to grow grain and potatoes. Every year, plowing the fields brought plenty of finds to the surface, such as pottery shards, stone tools and animal bones. Since the 19th century, over a thousand finds have been unearthed on the plateau. In 1966, Willfried Baumann documented the condition and pointed out the clear discolorations that indicated archaeological findings. He wrote on the back: "The inner surface of the castle rampart, ploughed up, the dark discolorations are clearly visible. Photographed from the main rampart".

Image Source W. Baumann, Foto ©LfA 1966.

Today's use

Wine has been cultivated on the Löbsaler Burgberg since 1966. Before the excavation, a large-scale deep loosening was carried out, which severely affected the features and cultural layers. As a result, we now have very little information about the inner buildings or individual settlement phases. No scientific excavations have been carried out on the site to date.

Image Source H. Quietzsch, Foto ©LfA 1971.

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Image Source Foto ©LfA 2024.