Forgotten treasures: Kyffhäuser finds reveal Thuringia's past

Forgotten treasures: Kyffhäuser finds reveal Thuringia's past

In Thuringia, exciting new ways are opening up in archeology, especially around the Kyffhäuser. This region, which is closely connected to myths and history, not only attracts tourists, but also archaeologists who are looking for indications of past civilizations. Recently, an unexpected find caused excitement among researchers and could have long -term effects on our understanding of this historical site.

The Kyffhäuser, a small low mountain ranges south of the Harz, is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes, but also for its historical ruins, including the Reichsburg Kyffhausen. Here visitors find remains of old buildings that tell of past times. Archaeologists have worked intensively at this site in recent years to learn more about the circumstances of the historical fortress. And it is precisely this progress that comes into a new light through a random find in a much too long forgotten document archive.

A surprising find brings new knowledge

In the current archaeology activities, scientists came across a box that contained excavation documents from 1937 and 1938. For the first time, researchers have access to valuable cards and drawings, which contain details of ceramic finds from the period from 11 to 15 centuries. The head of the North area department, Robert Knechtel, described this as a "circumstance of happiness" and emphasizes that this is a material that many generations of researchers would have been waiting for.

The box contains hundreds of index cards that document different fragments of dishes and other typical objects. These drawings not only offer a historical insight, but also enable a precise assignment of the finds. "Now the excavation activities at that time can be better understood," said Holger Grönwald, who heads the current excavations. This information can be crucial to find out where important buildings have stood in the past.

a long forgotten past

It is important to mention that many valuable medieval finds were destroyed during the National Socialists' excavations in the late 1930s. This search for a supposed Germanic "altitude" meant that valuable remains of history was irretrievably lost. The new discoveries and documents now allow a different perspective on this time and could help complete the image of the region and its history.

The rediscovered documents are now entered in a digital database in order to precisely document the locations of the finds. While historical sources have so far referred to the conquest of the Kyffhäuser in 1118, the new data should significantly expand historical understanding. These fresh knowledge will also flow into the educational work of the Kyffhäuser Foundation and have the potential to support the excavations planned for next year.

The most important finds are not fully secured. Grönwald emphasizes that an essential part of the historical objects are considered missing. Nevertheless, this unexpected find is enthusiastically taken up in Thuringia and offers the archaeological community new hope for significant discoveries that could significantly expand our knowledge of the past. The Kyffhäuser remains a region of discoveries and fascination - both for scientists and for those interested in history.