Description : The Heunischenburg is a stone fortification of the late Urnfield period near the Upper Franconian town of Kronach in Germany. Its heyday was in the 9th century BC, making it the oldest stone fortification north of the Alps that is known and archaeologically investigated. Excavations indicate three periods of settlement: In the first period (10th century BC) the Heunischenburg was constructed as a palisaded fortification. In the second period (10th century BC) the defences were reinforced with a sandstone wall that probably burned down during a battle. In the third period (9th century) the Heunischenburg was expanded into a strong hillfort. The northeastern flank was guarded by a 2.6-metre-wide, 3.5-metre-high and 110-metre long wall made of sandstone. This was in turn protected by a 3.5-metre-wide berm and a shallow ditch The wall on the inner side of the pincer gateway is only of single-leaf construction. The outer wall either side of the gateway approach on the hillside, was 2 metres wide and continued as a 55-metre-long wooden defensive breastwork. This probably enclosed the entire site. The gateway had a 1-metre-wide portal at the rear with a projecting wooden tower.
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