In the field of mining archaeology, the Viehhofen area is well known for its Bronze Age copper mines on the Wirtsalm and the fire-set cavities discovered in the course of modern mining activities in the so-called Herma-Stollen. The prehistoric mining landscape near Viehhofen and Weikersbach is revisited by presenting both previously reported sites and newly rediscovered ones. This comparative approach enhances the understanding of the area's archaeological significance. For the first time, smelting sites in Viehhofen and Weikersbach could be dated using 14 C as well as dendrochronology and a temporal correlation with the known prehistoric mines in the study area could be proven. The results of the investigations from 2017 to 2020 expand the previously known monument inventory and reveal a highly specialised mining landscape that was used between the 14 th and 12 th centuries BC.
Investigation Area of Viehhofen and Weikersbach. Top: View from the Kendlachkopf to the northern side of the Glemm Valley in Viehhofen. Bottom: Overview of the located mining and smelting sites (photo: D. Brandner; illustration: D. Brandner and M. Scherer-Windisch; map data: OSM contributors; DEM: ©SAGIS).
Massive slag grit heap at the newly discovered smelting site Kressenbrunn-West (photo: D. Brandner).
In the centre, the largest almost complete roasting bed (SE10) in section 1. Due to a lack of time, a deep cut was made to clarify the stratigraphy more quickly. Behind it in the picture you can see the reddish burnt clay layer of another cut roasting bed phase. After end of its use, the framing stones were removed and reused elsewhere (photo: D. Brandner).