Langweiler (archaeological site)

Langweiler (German pronunciation: [ˈlaŋvaɪlɐ] ) is an archaeological site situated in the Merzbach Valley on the Aldenhovener Plateau of western Germany. Systematic excavations have revealed evidence of 160 houses from eight distinct settlement sites, plus three enclosures and a cemetery, belonging to the period 5300-4900 BC. The site is a key region for understanding the nature of the earliest farming societies in west-central Europe (Bandkeramik era). Extensive surveys done from 1973 to 1981 contributed to recovery of the largest settlements in the valley before destruction of the area for mining.