Breitenbach (archaeological site)

The Breitenbach archaeological site in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, represents a significant open-air settlement from the early Upper Paleolithic period, specifically associated with the Aurignacian cultural complex. The site spans an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 square meters, making it the largest known Aurignacian open-air settlement in western Eurasia. Notable features include differentiated activity zones, lithic workshops, and well-preserved faunal remains, including mammoth, horse, and reindeer. Overlying this Paleolithic layer, a Neolithic settlement associated with the Linear Pottery Culture has also been identified, featuring pottery shards and lithic axes. This dual-layer site offers critical insights into the transition between the Aurignacian and Gravettian periods and the evolution of human settlement and subsistence patterns in Central Europe.