Miracle of the Mallerbach Chapel: 1,000 artifacts and children's graves discovered!

Miracle of the Mallerbach Chapel: 1,000 artifacts and children's graves discovered!

Who would have thought that the heart of Saxony-Anhalt harbors a hidden chapter from the Middle Ages? During exciting excavations, archaeologists discovered around 1,000 medieval artifacts and over 50 graves, including numerous children's graves. These spectacular finds come from the former Mallerbach Chapel, which was built in the 12th century and fulfilled a variety of functions as a village church and pilgrimage site until its destruction in 1524. Under the direction of Felix Biermann, an experienced archaeologist from the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology, the remains are now being examined in more detail in order to shed light on the fascinating history of this place arkeonews.net reported.

The graves were found on the eastern wall of the church, where rainwater once ran down the walls. This phenomenon is interpreted as spiritual protection for unbaptized infants, who were often considered outside the grace of heaven in the society of the time. A moment of mourning that the placement of the graves symbolically alleviated. Among the approximately 25 children's graves discovered were two that belonged to a noble family and even contained a small yellow clay pot from the 12th century.

The destruction caused by the Peasants' War

But the history of the Mallerbach Chapel is not only characterized by spirituality and sadness. A dark chapter was written in 1524, when the chapel was looted and burned down by rebellious citizens during the Peasants' War, which ultimately contributed to the destruction of the Kaltenborn monastery, which was responsible for the church. However, the excavations provide insights not only into the religious practices, but also into the social and economic circumstances that led the farmers to this uprising. High taxes, feudal oppression and the influence of the Reformation caused great injustice and frustration - aspects that are reflected in the reports of heritagedaily.com be discussed impressively.

The archaeologists' finds also include 25 silver coins from the 15th and early 16th centuries, pilgrim badges, belt clasps and horseshoes. They not only provide information about everyday life in times gone by, but also about the economic situation of the population at that time. The artifacts and skeletal remains are currently being analyzed in detail in laboratories in Halle (Saale), with the results expected to be presented in a public exhibition at the State Museum of Prehistory in the summer of 2025.

Medieval archeology in focus

These excavations are an excellent example of the importance of medieval archeology, which deals with the finds from this period and sheds light on the less documented aspects of history, such as Wikipedia informed. The subject is becoming more and more important and represents an important area within monument preservation. It not only enables understanding of the development of societies, but also of their cultures and economic conditions.

The Mallerbach Chapel and the finds above it are not only valuable historical evidence, but also a window into the soul of the Middle Ages, into the beliefs and realities of life of the people of that time. It remains exciting to see what further research will reveal.