Die Ausgrabungen in der Viereckschanze 2 von Holzhausen

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Between 1957 and 1963, K. Schwarz conducted extensive excavations at square enclosure 2 in Holzhausen, Bavaria. The site underwent five construction phases, transitioning from a fence/palisade to a complex with a ditch and bank. During this process, a building was repositioned inward, and a simple gate was replaced by an imposing gatehouse integrated into the bank. Inside, three shafts were uncovered, two of which were later covered by the bank. While initially thought to be sacrificial shafts, current evidence suggests they functioned as wells, supported by numerous parallels. Significant post pits in the northwestern area indicate the presence of a central building, although a 1997 geophysical survey yielded no additional findings. The excavation revealed a wealth of artifacts, surpassing earlier expectations, and notably lacked evidence of sacrificial practices, instead indicating Roman usage of the site. The volume includes excavation documentation from 1957 and 1960-1963, a find catalogue, features from 1958/1959, and an analysis of animal bones. While cult practices were likely part of rural settlements, the findings at Holzhausen 2 support a secular interpretation of square enclosures.