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Bronze pot from the Middle Ages: Sensational discovery in Erfurt!
A rare grape pot from the 13th century was discovered in Erfurt and is being restored for an upcoming exhibition.
Bronze pot from the Middle Ages: Sensational discovery in Erfurt!
On June 17, 2025, a suction excavator discovered a remarkable archaeological treasure while planting trees on Domstrasse: a bronze pot that is classified as a grape pot. As the city of Erfurt reports, this is a rare piece that was made in Germany from the 13th century. In the Thuringia region, only three or four of these pots are known to be in as good a state of preservation as the specimens found. The construction company acted quickly and informed the garden and cemetery office, which alerted the Thuringian State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology (TLDA).
The pot, which weighs almost one and a half kilos, was used as a cooking pot and probably came from a high-income commercial household, as such pots were quite valuable at the time. Interestingly, the former owners lived in the Domquartier, an area that was demolished in 1830. The quick reaction of the suction excavator prevented major damage to the find; With a conventional excavator you would probably only have found broken shards.
Restoration and future exhibition
The bronze pot is now being restored by the TLDA, with the final layer of corrosion being removed. This complex work involves scraping, preserving and drying the piece under the microscope. At the same time, it is also being investigated whether the pot was made of bell bronze or brass. The Erfurt City Museum is planning to show the restored grape pot in a revised permanent exhibition on the Middle Ages, which will certainly attract many interested parties.
Archaeological treasures at the federal level
Parallel to the discoveries in Erfurt, archaeological finds from all over Germany will also be presented in a large exhibition in Berlin from September 2018. The exhibition entitled "Changeable Times. Archeology in Germany" shows numerous exhibits, including impressive finds from Baden-Württemberg such as the famous Celtic princess of the Heuneburg and the Unlingen rider. These valuable artifacts are transported in climate-controlled boxes to protect them from environmental influences. Each exhibit is insured, with the value determined based on uniqueness, scientific value and restoration costs, according to the State Office for Monument Preservation.
The discovery of the bronze pot in Erfurt and the continued appreciation of archaeological finds underline Germany's rich cultural heritage. Whether it's local discoveries or nationwide exhibitions, interest in the story remains high and anticipation for upcoming presentations grows.