Peoples through space and time Archaeology in Germany 09.05 ...

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Urban Archaeology - The Rise of a Research Discipline
Extensive destruction during World War II and the ensuing reconstruction during the 1950s and 60s
wiped out invaluable archaeological sources in Germany's historic city centers. It was not until the
beginning of the 1970s that urban archaeology developed into an independent research discipline.
Since the 1990s, due to large-scale construction and urban renewal - particularly in the new federal
states - it has been necessary to carry out emergency excavations on a scale heretofore unknown.
Today, urban archaeology addresses a complex index of issues, including environment conditions and
settlement history, historical topography and road systems, traffic, property and development structures,
as well as house construction, commerce and trade, infrastructure, nutrition, health, death and defense
and even religious life.
Urban Archaeology in Lübeck
An introduction into urban archaeology can be provided by the example of the city of Lübeck. Since the
1970s, approximately 130 methodical excavations have taken place, documenting its development from
a Slavic fortress into a medieval city.
The extensive levels of civilization and the city's damp subsoil, providing excellent conditions for
preserving organic materials, yield diverse findings that help to illustrate Lübeck's powerful economic
position during the Middle Ages.
A detailed land register of today's old city can be followed back in time as far as into the 12 th century. In
the 13 th century, an early expansion of the city included the methodical development of the meadows at
the foot of the city hill. Findings from the trade section point to a variety of crafts existing in the city;
and objects discovered in the sewers provide insights into the material culture of the people living in
Lübeck during the Middle Ages.
Toys
Medieval toys are one of the most attractive medieval archaeological findings. They provide a striking
view to everyday culture of the time; they directly stir our imagination and emotions.
Children played with figures representing knights, marbles, miniature crockery and weapons. Dice and
board games, on the other hand, were predominantly reserved for adult amusement. With these findings,
urban archaeology has contributed to correcting the popular dark view of the Middle Ages.
Social Welfare - Caring for the Old and Sick
Hospitals were important institutions in medieval cities, as they took care of the needy, the sick and the
old in the Christian spirit of brotherly love.
Insights into the kind of living conditions existing in a ‘benefice’, meaning an old people's home into
which residents could buy themselves, are provided by a site at Bad Windsheim in central Franconia.
Numerous objects from the 2 nd half of the 15 th century taken from a major sewer prove that the residents
of the benefice did not live under poor conditions at all.
A high standard of living also existed in the hospital in Heidelberg, which is pointed out by the amount
and quality of 15 th and 16 th century glasses found at the site of the latrines.
A Bath in Hildesheim
In the Middle Ages, bathing not only played an important role with regard to hygiene, but it was also an
important social event and a way of passing time. Baths were often placed beyond the walls of the city
because, according to medieval concepts of morality, this rather permissive custom was prohibited from
taking place within the city's boundaries.
In the course of excavations in the area of Hildesheim's old city the Almers Bath ruins were discovered,
already known through historical records. Parts of the above-ground masonry were equally preserved as
the conduit pipes for serving fresh water and disposing waste water. Combs and currycombs found at
the site were used for personal hygiene. Bowls for blood-letting and cupping glasses prove that the bath
was also used to provide medical help to the city's citizens.
Horst Castle - From Fortified Mansion to Castle
Extensive excavations during the renovation of Horst Castle in Gelsenkirchen threw light on the castle's
origins as a fortified mansion in the 11 th century. Established by the von der Horst family, it was
replaced in the second half of the 16 th century by one of the most magnificent Renaissance castles in
North Rhine Westphalia, furnished with the most luxurious interior architecture.
The findings provide a view to noble courtly life and the ruling class’ desire for representation in
Westphalia during the Renaissance. Silver and ivory cutlery, valuable cut glass, as well as drinking and
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