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Mysterious silver coins from the 13th century discovered in Berlin!
Archaeological finds at Molkenmarkt reveal silver coins from the 13th century that shape Berlin's history.
Mysterious silver coins from the 13th century discovered in Berlin!
Just below the surface of Berlin's historic center, a true journey through time has taken place during current construction work. At the Molkenmarkt, the heart of the capital, remarkable treasures were discovered during archaeological excavations. Five silver coins from the 13th century that could be identified as denarii not only provide fascinating insights into the past, but are also evidence of Berlin's development as an up-and-coming trading city.
These coins, which all show the red eagle of the Mark Brandenburg and are about the size of a fingernail, were found in a medieval pit. They date from the reign of the Ascanian margraves Otto IV and Otto V, i.e. between 1260 and 1293. The obverse of the coins shows the margrave standing between two magnificent domed towers, while the reverse presents a crowned eagle. The value of these coins at the time was roughly comparable to the price of a normal loaf of bread, making them an interesting everyday item. The find is not only significant, but also represents the first smaller coin hoard to be presented to the public.
Archaeological treasures and their significance
The Berlin State Monuments Office has recovered a total of more than 700,000 finds that document the social and everyday culture of the Berlin population over the centuries. Other discoveries include a 14th-century bone flute, 15th-century leather shoes, silk ribbons and even a medieval cornucopia. These items not only reflect daily lifestyles, but also show connections to distant trading regions. Particularly revealing is the presence of silk ribbons from the 15th century, which indicate early trade with the Far East.
The excavations at Molkenmarkt, which have been underway since 2019, are the largest city center excavation in Germany, covering an area of 22,000 square meters and reaching an average depth of four meters. Christian Gaebler, Senator for Urban Development, emphasizes the scientific importance of this research and speaks of “interesting finds”. The archaeologist and state curator Dr. Christoph Rauhut sees the finds as having great historical value for the development of Berlin.
The future of the whey market
The excavations at Molkenmarkt are not only informative, they are also within the framework of a planned urban district. Particularly exciting are the plans for “archaeological windows”, which will give curious visitors insights into some of the sites. To date, over 70 percent of the excavations have been documented. An extensive scientific evaluation of the finds will then take place.
Visitors who are interested in these fascinating discoveries can marvel at some of the finds from the Molkenmarkt in the newly opened PETRI Berlin on Gertraudenstrasse. It remains to be seen what other secrets Berlin's underground still holds.
Nicole Hildebrandt is available for further information or inquiries: Tel. (030) 90259-3670, nicole.hildebrandt@lda.berlin.de.
The exciting finds at the Molkenmarkt clearly show how lively Berlin's history is and what wealth of cultural treasures the earth still holds. Who knows, maybe there is more than just modern Berlin beneath our feet?
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