Discovering Munich’s past in a medieval loo
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Marienhof excavation looking north to the Schrammerstraße [Credit: Christine Madden] |
While the dig continues, Wührer is in charge of documenting the findings. When it’s over, Deutsche Bahn will begin to dig tunnels 40 metres underneath the Marienhof for a new S-Bahn commuter train line.
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Marienhof excavation looking west to the Weinstraße [Credit: Christine Madden] |
The current excavation began in April of this year. Amongst the first things the archaeological team uncovered were the remains of books in what had been a city library. The heat generated by the bombing had blackened and charred the volumes “like toast,” said Wührer. The team have since dug beneath the wreckage of the Second World War and have reached “the cellar area of the Middle Ages” – or approximately a millennium back in time.
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The wooden latrine from the 13th century, where the 11th-century ceramic shard was found [Credit: Christine Madden] |
Even earlier on, a synagogue or house of prayer on the now non-existent Gruftstraße dating to 1380 attracted many Jewish residents. It wasn’t a ghetto, said Wührer, but became Jewish neighbourhood because of the synagogue. The Jewish residents endured persecution, particularly a night of violence in October 1285, only to be ousted permanently in 1442 by Duke Albrecht III. The Judengasse became the Gruftstraße, and the duke’s personal physician Johannes Hartlieb got the house next to the synagogue, which he rebuilt into a church.
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Ceramic pieces found in the 13th-century wooden latrine, including a shard from the 11th century (second from left) [Credit: Christine Madden] |
In one toilet they found a large amount of leftover pieces of leather. When they consulted old tax ledgers from the 15th century, they discovered that three shoemakers were mentioned by name as living in that area. And when they needed to dispose of waste leather, they dumped it in this latrine.
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Charred remains of books discovered in the Marienhof excavation [Credit: Christine Madden] |
The archaeological team have until next April 2012 to bring artefacts from Munich’s long history to light. After that, the Deutsche Bahn will continue with further preparation for the new S-Bahn line, such as relocating all the pipes and electric lines criss-crossing the area before digging through it. The cost of building the new line is estimated at €2 billion.
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Ceramic pot, shards and fruit pits discovered in the Marienhof excavation [Credit: Christine Madden] |
Rather than regret the disappearance of what her hard work has brought to the public eye, Wührer regards her profession and situation philosophically. “As an archaeologist, I know that when I excavate, I’m also destroying things,” she said.
Author: Christine Madden | Source: The Local [December 01, 2011]
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