Human remains in Kirchohmfeld: Secret around Wintzingerode!

Human remains in Kirchohmfeld: Secret around Wintzingerode!

During renovation work at the church in Kirchohmfeld in the Eichsfeld, human remains were surprisingly found. While the old flooring was removed under the church tower, the secrets of past times came to light, such as MDR Thuringia. Pastor Peter Michael Schmudde confirms the discovery and points out that it is not unusual to find the remains of former pastors under church floors. It is known that members of the noble family of Wintzingerode have traditionally been buried in the church, whose history dates back to the 13th century.

The famous Wintzingerode family, which has played an important role in the Eichsfeld in recent centuries, has their roots with the documentary mention of Bertoldus de Wincigeroth on September 21, 1209. With the acquisition of property in Thuringia, Lower Saxony and Hesse in the late Middle Ages, the family secured their influence in the region. Your connections to the Evangelical Church are also not insignificant, especially in times of the Reformation. Wintzingerode.net shows that despite the loss of influence during this period, core property around Bodenstein Castle was preserved. It is also known from the Wintzingerodes that relatives were buried in the Kirchohmfeld church, which makes the finds particularly interesting there.

finds and their meaning

experts from the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich have taken on the task of examining the remains in detail. The renovation of the church, which began in March, not only provides for the installation of a new floor, but also the construction of new chairs. The aim is to expand the church into a parish hall that can be used for events, which underlines the lively character of the community.

An interesting detail is the tradition of burials: the church served as a burial church for the patronage men of Wintzingerode for centuries. It is believed that the new discovered remains may belong to family members of this line. The existence of an independent parish in Kirchohmfeld has been occupied since 1560. And a piece of history is also laid down: the first Evangelical bell of the Eichsfeld was hung in the church tower in 1561.

context of church archeology

This find is not only an archaeological highlight, but also illustrates the relevance of church archeology. This part of the archeology deals with the building history of churches and the funeral system in and around these places of worship. Fascinating small finds often come to light, which are of great importance for research. Remains such as those in Kirchohmfeld help to complete the historical image of a region and to learn more about the life and faith of people in past centuries.

With the swing of these discoveries, the Kirchohmfeld church could break into a new era that not only keeps history alive, but also promotes community coexistence. What can the Eichsfeld and its residents expect next? It remains exciting!