Finds from the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BC) are increasing significantly in Germany. Following the announcement of the discovery of a 3,000-year-old sword in astonishing condition in Bavaria, or an equally ancient monumental room near the tomb of a legendary king, seven swords have been brought to light – and more than 6,000 silver coins and a collection of recent 11th century artifacts. Century AD – at several locations across the Rhine.
The State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Northern Germany) points out three “highly valuable” finds in the city of Schwerin this week that were discovered by a group of volunteer curators from the region, according to a press release dated November 22, 2023.
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Around 250 volunteers are currently committed to preserving the archaeological heritage. About the same number are currently completing relevant training. They are essential for the preservation of our cultural heritage in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. — Bettina Martin, State Minister of Culture, in the publication.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Archaeological Sensations Fund presented https://t.co/FP7K08j6xo #MecklenburgWestern Pomerania #Archeology #Fund
— tagesschau (@tagesschau) November 22, 2023
Seven Bronze Age swords scattered around in puzzle style
The first discovery was made near the since 10,000 BC. The town of Mirow in the Mecklenburg Lake District was settled in the 1st century BC. around 4,000 BC ADVERTISEMENT
Near Waren, north of the Müritz, four megalithic graves of the “funnel vase culture” have already been discovered, in which Neolithic peoples of Northern Europe came together – only two of the graves remain, the others were destroyed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Not far from there, this time south of Lake Müritz, the seven swords from the Bronze Age were identified in numerous fragments. Archaeologists believe, based on carbon dating, that they were buried on the plain as ritual offerings at least 3,000 years ago.
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Over time (and especially through dredging), they would have risen to the surface, disintegrated, and their pieces would have been scattered… until the volunteer curators of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania meticulously discovered each individual fragment, finally making it possible to restore these ancient weapons completely to reconstruct.
Even if the deposit and burial of valuable objects is not unusual – as the numerous reports about it show – this is the first time that so many swords from this period have been found in the same place in the region, the experts say in the press release.
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Coins, jewelry and religious objects from the Middle Ages
200 kilometers north of Mirow, on the largest German Baltic Sea island of Rügen, the volunteer curators made a discovery of a completely different kind: 6,000 medieval silver coins, scattered in the ground or stored in a clay pot.
The majority of coins were minted in West Germany in the 11th century, particularly in Meissen and Upper Lusatia in the state of Saxony. But around 10% of the jackpot also came from England, Denmark, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) and Hungary.
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This big coin hoard, “bigger.” […] According to the researchers, “the finds from the Slavic period discovered so far in the post-war period” indicate that the region could have been the scene of an important trade exchange. Research continues in this direction.
Finally, the latest loot that fell into the hands of the aspiring archaeologists was hidden in the town of Mölln in the neighboring lake district of Schleswig-Holstein. Inside were various items that also dated back to the 11th century: a pot containing 1,700 coins; rings ; a necklace set with gemstones, gold beads, rock crystal and carnelian…
The winning ticket also included two relics. The first is in the shape of a “kaptorga” (flat Slavic metal pendant generally worn around the neck), while the second is in the shape of a crucifix. Both are of particular interest to experts because they testify to the establishment of Christianity in a medieval period when the region was still far from evangelization.
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If the Rhineland had been Christianized since Roman times, Germany beyond the Elbe was only affected in the 10th and 11th centuries – and Christianity was really introduced much later, so pagan traditions continued for several centuries.
On the same topic:
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