ADVERTISING
Bone finds, remains of the wall and manuscript on roof slate - results of the excavations presented
As part of channel renovations around the city church of Darmstadt, archaeological accompanying examinations have revealed numerous traces of city history. City Councilor Michael Kolmer presented the results on Friday (July 4th) as part of a press appointment: among other things, burial remains of the oldest Darmstadt cemetery, fragments of historical development and a manuscript from 1704 were found.
From May 2023 to May 2024, the work was carried out by E-Netz Südhessen AG and accompanied archaeologically. The background was the well -known location of the formerly walled churchyard, which was used until the late 16th century, partly until the 18th century, as a cemetery. The company Spau GmbH took over the archaeological documentation on behalf of the E-Netz Südhessen, in coordination with the Lower Monument Protection Authority and Hessen Archeology in the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments.
Bone finds and traces of historical burials
In the course of the work, several graves were documented - including burials in elaborately worked coffins with preserved wooden traces and handle decorations. Both fully preserved skeletons and bone fragments were found, as are typical of inner -city cemeteries. At that time, the lack of space often led to the opening of older graves. The bones were partially filled again or transferred to so -called leg houses.
A larger layer of bone southwest of the church could be interpreted as the remnant of a leg house. The documented buried included men, women and children.
Remains of the wall and references to older buildings
In addition, several walls of the wall were discovered, some of which belong to the old churchyard wall, partly to older, no longer clearly assignable development. Remains of the former fire station, which was destroyed in 1944, were also documented. Individual ceramic finds can be dated to the 12th century and thus go back to the beginning of the city.
A special find is two slate slabs with incised inscriptions from 1704. In cooperation with the city archive, the manuscripts could be assigned to a craftsman who worked at the city church at the time.
Meaning for city history and urban development
City Councilor Michael Kolmer emphasizes the relevance of the excavations: "The investigation shows how many historical traces of history are still preserved in Darmstadt soil. These traces must be documented in order to secure the sources of city history and at the same time to further develop the development of Darmstadt."
In the future, the city will continue to work together with Hessen Archeology and the respective builders to combine archaeological knowledge with urban planning measures.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/Stip)
