German archaeologists have uncovered a medieval tunnel system, known as an 'erdstall,' beneath a Neolithic burial site near Reinstedt in Saxony-Anhalt. This discovery, announced by the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology, reveals a structure measuring between 1 and 1.25 meters in height with a vaulted ceiling, containing small mammal bones, a horseshoe, and charcoal layers suggesting use for short-term lighting or ritual purposes.

While similar tunnel systems are widespread across Europe, their original function remains debated among researchers. Some suggest they served as spiritual or ritual sites, possibly as symbolic tombs or places for initiation, while others theorize they could have been used as hideouts or for storing valuables during periods of turmoil. The proximity to former burial mounds and the placement within old farmsteads, churches, or forests adds to the mystery surrounding their purpose. The discovery provides new insights into medieval practices and the complex history of subterranean structures in Europe.