Archaeologists discover 1,000 finds at the Mallerbach Chapel!

Archaeologists discover 1,000 finds at the Mallerbach Chapel!

Archaeologists have made remarkable discoveries during extensive excavations at the Mallerbach Chapel near Allstedt in the Mansfeld-Südharz district. In total, around 1,000 finds were recovered, including around 25 silver coins from the 15th and early 16th centuries. These also include pilgrim signs, belt buckles, knives, horseshoes and an arrowhead. Project manager Felix Biermann from the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology explained that the finds also included a crossbow bolt and several lead balls as well as numerous ceramic shards. These excavations are not only historically significant, but also part of the commemorative year "Gerechtigkeyt. Thomas Müntzer & 500 Years of the Peasants' War", which addresses the topic of social unrest in the 16th century.

The Mallerbach chapel itself, an impressive building from the 12th century, has experienced an eventful history. During the excavations, not only the finds came to light, but also early medieval burials, including two children's graves from a noble family. In one of these graves a small pot made of yellow clay was found, which was identified as Pingsdorf ware from the 12th century. Such finds are valuable contemporary witnesses that provide an insight into life and the burial culture of that time.

A look into history

The Mallerbach Chapel was looted and burned down on March 24, 1524 by citizens of Allstedt. This incident is seen as a significant harbinger of the peasant unrest in central Germany, which gained great importance through the sermons of the theologian Thomas Müntzer. This turbulent time, in which social tensions and rebellions against the authorities prevailed, is also reflected in the finds, which are being archaeologically prepared and provide valuable insights into this era.

Overall, the excavations uncovered the remains of a large cemetery in which over 50 graves, including around 25 children's graves, came to light. These burials, including those of newborns and stillborn children, often took place in places where rainwater flowed down from the church, interpreted as a holy water effect. Such interpretations are not uncommon in medieval archeology and also testify to ancient traditions and religious practices.

The importance of archeology

Medieval archeology, as practiced at the Mallerbach Chapel, is a discipline that uses finds and excavations to gain knowledge about the Middle Ages that cannot be gained from written or pictorial sources. This area has developed rapidly since the 1960s and is closely linked to the fields of art and architectural history as well as the geography and history of the Middle Ages. However, especially in Germany, this subject is often still classified as a “small subject”.

The finds made at the Mallerbach Chapel are not only historically informative, but also contribute to further research and understanding of burial culture, religious practices and social structures of the Middle Ages. They offer historians and archaeologists the opportunity to bring the past to life and make it accessible to a wider audience.

For the community and the region, these discoveries represent a unique opportunity to engage with their own history and reassess cultural heritage. When citizens and interested parties follow these traces together, history becomes tangible and alive - a true treasure trove of subterranean stories.

Further details about the excavations and the finds can be found at mz.de and world.de. For a more in-depth overview of medieval archeology, it is also worth visiting Wikipedia.