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As said in the intro, the Goseck Sun Observatory is the oldest archaeological evidence for systematic skywatching. The original is about 7000 years old and was constructed by neolithic peasants.
What you see now is a complete reconstruction as close to the original as possible. The wood piles, that are 3m long each, were treated and erected in the original way and hemp, spinned by hand in an authentic way, has been used to bind them.
The observatory was reconstructed from 2002 to 2005. A big stone age settlement was discovered nearby. It seems as if the peasants used the obersavtory to calculate the right times for sowing and harvesting. Several cleaned and polished skulls were found, so maybe even people were sacrificed in connection to that. There were also many bones of cattle and sherds.
To be honest, although I find the observatory very interesting and astonishing (considering that so many years ago, people already calculated sunrise and sunset!), the visit was not as exciting as I expected. We walked around the concentric path way and had a look, but you just see so much that it is reconstructed that it did not really give me a special feeling. What was quite striking though were the acustics. Although the construction is not big there was a strong echo, especially when my father spoke (he has a very deep voice). I noticed this with amazement and only read later about it in the Skypaths flyer.
Entrance is for free all day and all year around.
Updated Sep 11, 2011
Phone: 03443 379478
Website: www.sonnenobservatorium-goseck.info
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In the middle of the construction, there is a plate of metal that explains how the observatory works. I think that it is a little complicated and I have not completey understood it yet.
The southeastern gate and the southwestern gate mark the direction of the sunrise and sunset at winter solstice as they were in the beginning of the 5th century BC. The northern gate lies in the direction of the astronomical meridian. Thus, it is very likely that the observatory was used to calculate the date of winter solstice. More finds suggest that also the date of midsummer was calculated by the construction. There are smaller notches (like embrasures) indicating the directions in which the sun would rise or set on special dates (9th of April, 1st of May, 1st of August and 4th of September). Probably these were the dates of special rites and celebrations.
It seems indeed as if the prehistoric people had much more astronomical knowledge than we assume!
Updated Sep 11, 2011
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There is a small information centre in the Castle of Goseck where you can learn about the sun observatory. We did not go there because we did not have enough time. Usually of course I don't write a Things To Do tip on an attraction I have not visited, but this time I am doing it because my page is (up to now) the only page on Goseck and because it has so few sights anyway.
The sky paths information flyer says that the information centre illustrates the sun observatory and explains the phenomenon of concentric ditches. There are also displays on the process of the excavations. The centre is family friendly and their is a special audioguide for children (presumably only in German, but I am not sure).
The information centre is open from 10.00 to 18.00 from April to October and from 11.00 to 16.00 from November to March. Closed on mondays.
The fee is 2€.
Updated Sep 11, 2011
Address: Burgstraße 53
Phone: 03443 379478
Website: www.sonnenobservatorium-goseck.info
Goseck - visit Germany's "Woodhenge"!
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