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Kaltenborn Monastery Dig Reveals Barn, Bell Casting—and a Headless Skeleton

Excavations run through 12 September within a federal and state commemoration of the Peasants’ War.

Overview

  • Archaeologists identified an approximately 30‑metre, three‑aisled structure on the monastery’s economy yard that they interpret as a barn likely used to store peasant levies.
  • A human skeleton without a head was found laid on its side within a foundation, and researchers say the circumstances of its placement remain under investigation.
  • Evidence of metalworking includes several clay furnaces and the base of a bell‑casting installation, with the team suggesting a bell may have been cast for the nearby collegiate church.
  • Three decorated metal styli from the 12th/13th centuries point to a possible scriptorium or administrative office, alongside finds such as twelve silver coins, tools, pottery, oven tiles, window glass and animal bones.
  • Burn layers across several buildings are linked to a documented 1525 mercenary attack, and the publicly supported dig involves professionals, students from Germany and Poland and local volunteers.