Silver pen from the 15th century: Sensational discovery in Himmelpforte!

Silver pen from the 15th century: Sensational discovery in Himmelpforte!

Archaeologists have made a very special find in the Himmelpforte monastery near Wernigerode: a silver pen from the 15th century Focus reported. The silver pen, which is 11.1 centimeters long, was discovered in the area of ​​the terrace embankment of the east wing of the former monastery. The material is particularly interesting: the shaft is made of a gunmetal alloy, while the tip is made of silver with a copper content of around five percent. This mixture can be seen in the grinding marks and air bubbles, which indicate production in liquid form.

Silver pens were common writing and drawing instruments in the 15th and 16th centuries, but they are exceptionally rare in an archaeological context. Artists such as Rogier van der Weyden and Albrecht Dürer used these tools for fine sketches and designs. The technique for making silver pencils remained in use until the 17th century. In addition to the silver pen, the archaeologists also found other writing tools and two books from the monastery library. These finds testify to the strong educational affinity and written culture of the Augustinian hermits who lived in the monastery.

Exciting new finds at the monastery

Further exciting discoveries were made during the excavations at Himmelpforte Monastery. So reported Time that the archaeologists uncovered foundation walls, some of which are over two meters high. Project manager Felix Biermann from the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology mentions that high-ranking members and noble benefactors were buried in the monastery church. Special burials, such as that of Gerrun von Königstein, offer insights into the past and life in the monastery.

In the graves in the cloister, which probably belong to Augustinian hermits, bronze buckles and iron nails were found, indicating coffins. Many of the dead date from the 13th to 16th centuries and remain anonymous. The popular burial site at the church's rectangular choir also contained graves of children, women and men, most of whom were residents of the monastery estates. The finds also include over a dozen silver coins, earthenware dishes, oven tiles, book fittings and a bone ear spoon. These objects provide valuable insights into everyday monastery operations.

Insights into monastic writing

The diversity of the written culture in the monastery is further illustrated by the role of the scriptorium, a central component of many monasteries, such as Wikipedia explained. In these writing rooms, sacred and profane texts were duplicated by hand. The scriptoria were often connected to universities and the monks working there were responsible for carrying out the orders. The scriptorium was particularly important in times before printing.

The new discoveries at the monastery are part of a citizen science project in which over 40 volunteers between the ages of 12 and 77 work together to uncover graves and buildings. The support from the city of Wernigerode and the federal government showed how important research into such historical sites is, especially in memory of the turbulent history of the monastery, which was looted by rebellious farmers during the Peasants' War.

The silver pen will be part of a larger exhibition in the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale), which will take place from June 28th to November 30th, 2025 under the title "Monasteries. Plundered. In the turmoil of the peasant uprisings". One more reason to be interested in both history and archaeological finds!