Civ: Germans (Cimbri, Suebians, Goths)

[Genava55]

3 minutes ago, nifa said:

So maybe a wonder could look something like that?

Do you have further references?

The only illustrative reference is from Ancient Warfare magazine but it is a sketchy simplification :

The boat was submerged with blacksmith tools, with wooden vessels and recipients, animals were sacrificed, notably a horse and two dogs. Spears and oars were thrust into the silty bottom to anchor it. There were dozen of spears and shields submerged with the boat.

 

[nifa]

2 hours ago, Genava55 said:

The only illustrative reference is from Ancient Warfare magazine but it is a sketchy simplification :

The boat was submerged with blacksmith tools, with wooden vessels and recipients, animals were sacrificed, notably a horse and two dogs. Spears and oars were thrust into the silty bottom to anchor it. There were dozen of spears and shields submerged with the boat.

 

Thanks. From an artistical point of view, filling a boat with props isn't that difficult, all models are existing already. I'm not sure how to display it in a bog though.

Edited November 10, 2025 by nifa

[Stan`]

You might try to make a weathered version of the boat texture to make it look like it's been there a little while.

[Carltonus]

Created a new work-in-progress Civ entry on the Wiki.

Better update the portraits ASAP? Especially the heroes... who was that doing the Han heroes and Cleopatra?

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

This is actually an excellent idea for a Wonder. Much better than the destroyed Roman army camp. 

[Genava55]

20 hours ago, nifa said:

Thanks. From an artistical point of view, filling a boat with props isn't that difficult, all models are existing already. I'm not sure how to display it in a bog though.

Yes, I think the game engine is not made for monuments related to specific landscape elements. I think we need to have some imagination in this case. We have some account of sacred groves and sanctuaries in Tacitus' Germania but those are not usable since we are narrowing the civ around the Cimbri. 

I think the best option is to make a huge deposit with multiple items, like a votive gift. 

You have a good idea with the stone boat around the monument: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_ship

I think we can make something bigger.

A large stone in an elongated circle with a pile of various weapons, trophies, and spoils of war inside. It should represent the spoils of war of the Cimbri during their wars against the Romans, Celts, Iberians, etc. Large cauldrons like those found in Brå, Keldby, Rynkeby on Funen, and Sophienborg Mose could be added. We could have chariots like the one from Dejbjerg. We could also have freshly sacrificed horses. And on top of this pile, we could add two boats, leaning against the pile of objects. They could be slightly tilted to give the monument a sense of height.

It would require making some props but it is feasible I think. 

Edited November 11, 2025 by Genava55

[real_tabasco_sauce]

@nifa I like the direction with the wonder. If the ship settings were supposed to be a monument or memorial, then perhaps we can imagine some decor that would be fitting. We may not even need the ship inside as the rocks were arranged in the shape of a ship.

[real_tabasco_sauce]

If you look at the actor for the encampment, it is an example of how you can use props to let an actor conform to the terrain.

[Genava55]

https://archaeology.org/news/2025/12/12/new-thoughts-on-denmarks-ancient-hjortspring-boat/

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0336965

 

[real_tabasco_sauce]

36 minutes ago, Genava55 said:

https://archaeology.org/news/2025/12/12/new-thoughts-on-denmarks-ancient-hjortspring-boat/

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0336965

 

Awesome work. Recovering a partial fingerprint is incredible!

[Genava55]

Map by Maptysk illustrating the various contributions from different material cultures to the formation of the Bastarnae (related to the Poienesti-Lucaseuca culture) 

[nifa]

spec and normal map related to germ_struct_03 seem to be existing twice and there is a redundant prop in an actor file that leads to the following missing prop point message:

Spoiler

 

[nifa]

WIP. Thoughts on the concept in general?

Other than the deletion of unseen faces, any artistic or technical advise? What do you think of this kind of burial chamber? Is it ahistorical?

Two stones together (or three at both ends) make up a prop, that adapts to the terrain. Unfortunately the whole concept only works with a lot of props, and this is even without any plants or bushes:

Spoiler

What would be an appropiate number of props? Any idea which props are worth to be added? Cadaver of a horse or human corpse, weapons, wagons etc? 

File's attached. Please test on different biomes and different terrains.

stone_ship.zip

Edited 2 hours ago by nifa

[nifa]

@Genava55 I know they are predominantly from the viking era, but is there any chance the cimbri had runestones as well? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runestone

Edited 1 hour ago by nifa

[Genava55]

42 minutes ago, nifa said:

runestones

The earliest evidence for runes is the Meldorf brooch, dated around 50 AD. So no runes for the Cimbri.

Petroglyph production declined sharply after 600 BC and it is really difficult to date a petroglyph. Furthermore, there is not a large quantity of petroglyphs in Denmark. Those were mostly found in Sweden and Norway. 

I would avoid petroglyphs for the Cimbri. 

1 hour ago, nifa said:

WIP. Thoughts on the concept in general?

It looks a lot like a boat burial, when a person is buried with a boat. Which is not attested for this period.

The sinking of the Hjortspring boat is more probably a votive deposit, an offering to deities, from a war booty or a trophy. 

Furthermore, you choose a very small boat and you emphasize much more on the stone circle. Which is a bit problematic because the boat is probably the most important part.