Human remains in Kirchohmfeld: Secret about Wintzingerode!

Human remains in Kirchohmfeld: Secret about Wintzingerode!

Surprisingly, human remains were found during renovation work on the church in Kirchohmfeld in Eichsfeld. While the old floor covering under the church tower was removed, the secrets of bygone times came to light, as MDR THÜRINGEN reports. Pastor Peter Michael Schmudde confirms the discovery and points out that it is not unusual to find remains of former pastors under church floors. It is known that members of the noble von Wintzingerode family, whose history dates back to the 13th century, were traditionally buried in the church.

The famous Wintzingerode family, which played an important role in Eichsfeld in recent centuries, has its 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 its influence in the region. Their connections to the Protestant Church are also not insignificant, especially during the Reformation. Wintzingerode.net shows that despite the loss of influence during this time, the core property around Bodenstein Castle was preserved. It is also known that relatives of the Wintzingerodes were buried in the Kirchohmfeld church, which makes the finds there particularly interesting.

Finds and their significance

Experts from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich have taken on the task of examining the remains in detail. The renovation of the church, which began in March, includes not only the installation of a new floor, but also the installation of new chairs. The aim is to expand the church into a community center that can be used for events, underlining the lively character of the community.

An interesting detail is the tradition of burials: the church served as a burial church for the patrons of Wintzingerode for centuries. It is believed that the newly discovered remains may belong to family members of this lineage. The existence of an independent parish in Kirchohmfeld has been documented since 1560. And a piece of history is also recorded: the first Protestant consecrated bell in Eichsfeld was hung in the church tower in 1561.

Context of church archaeology

This find is not only an archaeological highlight, but also illustrates the relevance of church archaeology. This branch of archeology deals with the building history of churches and the burial system in and around these places of worship. Fascinating small finds that are of great importance for research often come to light. Remains like those in Kirchohmfeld help to complete the historical picture of a region and to learn more about the lives and beliefs of people in past centuries.

With the momentum of these discoveries, the Kirchohmfeld Church could move into a new era that not only keeps history alive, but also promotes community coexistence. What awaits Eichsfeld and its residents next? It remains exciting!