Oct 17, 2023 at 6:18 PM Update: 24 minutes ago
Two skeletons of more than a thousand years old were found during archaeological excavations on the Grote Markt in Groningen. The bones probably date from the eighth or ninth century.
The municipality found the skeletons during excavations because the sewerage system in the center is being replaced.
The human remains were found on the Grote Markt. In the early Middle Ages there was a cemetery on this site. This belonged to the wooden predecessor of the current Martini Church.
One of the skeletons was found in a tree trunk grave made from an oak tree. It is very rare that these types of graves are found. This method of burial was especially popular in the Bronze Age. This form of burial was used again for a short time in the early Middle Ages, although it is not clear exactly why.
Both skeletons were of adults. The tree trunk grave has now been removed from the Grote Markt. The other skeleton, buried in a normal plank coffin, was still in place Tuesday afternoon.
The municipality will conduct further investigation
Municipal archaeologist Erik Akkerman tells local channel Eye TV that it has been a quarter of a century since old graves were found in the center of Groningen. These were also part of the old cemetery.
The skeletons are now being further examined, says Akkerman. “We hope to find out their gender, how old they have become, whether they have broken bones or diseases,” he explains.
“We also look at the isotopes. This allows us to determine where someone grew up. Were they Groningen residents and are there still people who are now related to these deceased people? Or did they come from Germany, Drenthe or Friesland?”
After the examination, the skeletons are sent to a provincial depot. They can then be borrowed by museums, for example, for exhibition.
Image: NU.nl/Municipality of Groningen
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RemarkableArchaeologyGroningen
2023-10-17 16:18:35
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