Bronzezeithaus Hahnenknoop

About the museum

While dredging the Strohauser Sieltief near Rodenkirchen in 1971, construction workers came across settlement remains from the Late Bronze Age near the Hahnenknoop mill. Two farmsteads were largely destroyed in the process; a third was fully excavated by the Lower Saxony Institute for Historical Coastal Research between 1996 and 2001. The settlement from around 900 BC is considered the oldest settlement discovered so far in the marshland on the German North Sea coast.

Because the wet marsh soil had preserved the wood exceptionally well, the three-aisled longhouse made of alder wood with a reed roof could be reconstructed precisely. Finds such as pottery, casting crucibles, and casting molds for neck rings show that the inhabitants lived from livestock farming, fishing, and some arable farming, and worked bronze on site.

At the suggestion of the Verkehrsverein Stadland (tourism association), the Förderverein Bronzezeithaus Hahnenknoop (friends' association) was founded in November 2001 and took over planning, financing, and operation. Construction of the replica began in May 2005 in the immediate vicinity of the site, and the house opened on September 9, 2005.

Today, guides lead groups through the house and, from April to October, offer hands-on activities as well as programs for daycare groups and school classes. On certain Sundays and event days, the grounds are open to everyone.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of the oldest documented farmhouse in the German coastal marsh
• Three-aisled longhouse with hearth and animal stalls
• Hands-on activities such as spear-thrower throwing, jewelry making, or bread baking
• School program on nutrition in the Bronze Age
• Event days with workshops on selected Sundays

Permanent exhibitions

• Bronzezeitliches Wohnstallhaus – The walk-in reconstruction shows the living area with hearth and the stable of a farm around 900 BC and tells of the life of the first settlers in the marsh.

Founded

2005

Operated by

Förderverein Bronzezeithaus Hahnenknoop e.V.

Admission & discounts

Admission prices apply to the open Sundays. Hands-on activities (April to October) are charged according to time and material costs. Programs for preschool groups cost €6 per person for 2.5 hours with 11 or more children; smaller groups pay a flat rate of €60. The school program "Zeitreise in die Speisekammer der Bronzezeit" (Time Travel to the Bronze Age Pantry) is free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Level access to the house; seating available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

For daycare groups there are short, age-appropriate tours with a breakfast break and activities such as grinding grain, cracking nuts, crafts with natural materials, or baking stick bread. On event days, children can, for example, dye candles.

Getting there & parking

The house is located on the B 437 between Rodenkirchen and Schwei, behind the Gasthaus Hahnenknooper Mühle.

Amenities & dining

Right next door is the Gasthaus Hahnenknooper Mühle (inn). Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit