The excavation of the mound
Nearly all mounds in Fryslân have been excavated, being unnecessary after the dykes secured the land,
and the soil appeared to be a suitable fertiliser for agriculture.
One positive aspect of the digging at Hegebeintum was that in
1904 many interesting things were excavated. In collaboration with the
Fries Museum in Leeuwarden, some of these articles are housed in the
Hegebeintum Visitors’ Centre. A 7th century clasp has to be
regarded as one of the most beautiful objects of the collection.
However,
other items indicate that the mound dates back to the 5th
century BC. Through a DVD presentation, visitors can get a vivid
impression of the life and history of the people around the mound, as well
as of the cultural importance of this area.
A reconstruction of how the mound was excavated can
be seen on the northeast side of the mound. You can see a typical tipping
wagon, which was used to take the soil to the boat.
