In 1971, the archaeological site Rodenkirchen-Hahnenknooper Mühle was excavated northwest of Bremen along the B 437. The excavation was coordinated by Dr. Erwin Strahl of the “Niedersächsisches Institut für historische Küstenforschung” from Wilhelmshaven, an institute which is active in this region for a long time already. This Brozne Age settlement is the oldest found in these coastal marshlands so far, dating to the 10th and 9th century BC.
Leading members of the Tourist Office of Stadland were interested in building a reconstruction of one of the 4 longhouses in the direct vicinity of the original site, next to the restaurant “Gasthaus Hahnenknooper Mühle”. In 2001, the association to set this in motion was founded, the “Förderverein Bronzezeithaus Hahnenknoop e.V.” The newly built longhouse offers, together with the results of the scientific research into the original material and information a great opportunity to try and interest the public for archaeology as a profession. By means of trained guides information about the life and environment of the Early Bronze Age marshlands can be shared in an appealing way. The farm also offers a special programme as extra mural education site for school groups of the region. Finally, the Bronze Age house helps strengthening the tourism quality of the region.
2003, the idea for the farm was set in motion under the EU LEADER+ flag. Different other funds also add to the foreseen budget of almost 300,000 Euro. 2005, the construction works as well as training of the first guides started and in September, the house was inaugurated by the Lower Saxony Minister for Science & Culture, Lutz Stratmann.
From that moment on, schools and tourists frequent the Bronze Age house and at small scale, events are organised with for example bronze casting.
