A team of researchers from the Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Monuments has stumbled upon a rare treasure of coins that sheds new light on the medieval history of Germany’s capital.
The consists of five intact silver denarii, each about 1.5 cm in diameter, along with one half coin. Scholars have dated these artifacts to the second half of the 13th century, specifically during the reign of the Ascanian margraves Otto IV and Otto V (1260/65–1293).
Margrave (German: Markgraf, from Mark – “border, border area” and Graf – “count”) is a hereditary noble title for the ruler of a feudal principality in medieval Germany.
The obverse of the coins features the margrave between two towers with domes, while the reverse displays an eagle with a crown, symbolizing power and sovereignty.
Dr. Christoph Rauhut, director of the Berlin State Office and lead conservator, emphasized the significance of the find: “These coins are an important testament to the consolidation of medieval Berlin in the 13th century. This is the first time such coins have been discovered at Molkenmarkt.”
Molkenmarkt – Germany’s Largest Urban Archaeological Site
Excavations at the historic Molkenmarkt square cover 22,000 square meters in the Berlin-Mitte district, near the capital’s oldest market. This is the largest archaeological project in the center of a German city. Researchers are working at a depth of four meters. So far, the team has unearthed over 88,000 cubic meters of well-preserved historical soil, thanks to the surface insulation created in the 20th century.
This extensive archaeological investigation reveals the history of Berlin’s development from its medieval founding to the present day. The coin hoard is just one of more than 700,000 artifacts discovered here, according to the publication Arkeonews.
Leather shoe (circa 1450)
Among the key discoveries is a 50-meter-long road, 7 meters wide, dated to around 1230, 13th-century defensive ditches, and hundreds of wells and latrines from the 13th to 18th centuries. Researchers have also unearthed remnants of medieval wooden cellars, houses, adobe ovens, and smithies, as well as prehistoric artifacts, including those from the Stone Age.
Some of the most intriguing finds that help paint a vivid picture of Berlin’s social and cultural history include a 14th-century fishing net sinker, a bone flute from that era, leather shoes from around 1450, a silk ribbon from the mid-15th century, 17th-century toys, and 18th-century flint stones that were part of weaponry.
Ceramic sinker (14th century)
Christian Gebler, senator for urban development and construction, noted: “Molkenmarkt continues to surprise us with fascinating discoveries. Visitors can now admire many of these finds at the new PETRI Berlin museum.” This cultural center serves as a window into the history of the German capital, showcasing its unique archaeological treasures. Currently, archaeologists have meticulously documented and researched over 70 percent of the excavation area. After the fieldwork is completed, scholars will conduct a comprehensive assessment of all the findings. This will provide a fresh perspective on Berlin’s medieval and early modern urban landscape.
Photo: Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Monuments