The hike through the millennia begins at the Schuh-Mühle in Schattendorf. There, next to the Tauscherbach, a smelting furnace was built and iron was produced for the first time in 2000 years. The approximately 7 km long path leads along the main road, into the Hadspitzwald, over the Krippelberg back toward the village and Schuh-Mühle.
The first station leads to the settlement site of the neolithic Schattendorf inhabitants. A sign in front of the site provides insights into life in the Stone Age, including what tools were used and how the houses of that time were built.
The route continues northward to the second station, in the so-called “Hadspitzwald” to the “7 Hills,” as they are colloquially known. Just before entering the forest, a sign awaits with a brief introduction to the burial customs and beliefs of people in the Early Iron Age, as well as a map of the barrow cemetery. Let yourself be enchanted by the gently rolling landscape on your way to the next station to imagine life in this area during past times.
For the third station, a jump in time of over two millennia is necessary. Schattendorf is familiar to many people in connection with the “Shots of Schattendorf” in 1927. The resting place “Grimmingkreuz” is an excellent spot for a small break with a potential wine tasting. (Pre-ordering at the Schuh-Mühle) A visible archaeological site from the surface is a tank ditch from the Second World War that still cuts through the landscape in the northwestern part of the municipality. The “East Wall” continues into the community area of Baumgarten. All information regarding its function is visible on a sign, just like at the other stations.
On the way back east on the Kräftenweg, you will see, in the direction of the train station, a slight elevation running parallel above the railway road. The Romans likely used this path for trade. Numerous Roman archaeological sites can be found along this path.
One of them is a so-called “Villa Rustica,” located a bit southeast of the Schattendorf-Baumgarten train station. This Roman settlement likely also includes the Roman tombstones from the church wall of Schattendorf.
On the way back, make sure to visit the exhibit “8000 Years of Schattendorf” at the Schuh-Mühle. There are finds from all the previously visited sites presented and described there. In addition to cremated remains found in a later deteriorated wooden box, numerous pottery shards were discovered. The graves date back to 700 to 600 BC.
In 1924, archaeologist Dr. Friedrich Hautmann conducted two more excavations. From the La Téne period, two Celtic spearheads and a sword were found at the Eglseeäckern, as well as a Celtic secondary burial in a barrow in the Hadspitzwald and a female grave with a neck ring and arm bracelet (in the Naturhistorischen Museum in Vienna).
Date: Anytime upon prior arrangement
Duration: 3.5 hours
Participants: min. 5
Costs: € 3,- per adult, € 2,- per child from 8 years, families € 9,-
Equipment: Sturdy footwear, rain protection
Registration & Meeting Point: Schuh-Mühle Schattendorf, Am Tauscherbach 1, 7022 Schattendorf
Info and registration:manuelathurner@hotmail.com or 0676/5741494 or office@muehle-schattendorf.at, www.muehle-schattendorf.at