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A team of archaeologists has discovered the remains of approximately 1,000 people who were victims of the Black Death in southern Germany. This mass grave may be the biggest of its kind in Europe.
During excavations preceding the building of new apartments in Nuremberg, eight pits containing hundreds of human skeletons were discovered. These remains, which belonged to adults, children, and infants, dated back to the late 15th and early 17th centuries.
According to a statement from archaeological excavation company In Terra Verita, three of the pits have been completely excavated up to this point and another four are scheduled to be examined over the next few weeks.
Melanie Langbein, from the city’s department for heritage preservation, stated that such a discovery has never occurred before, and it was not believed to be possible. The significance of the site to Nuremberg is great, and we are collaborating to gather all available information.
The remains of adults were found in a sitting position at the Southern end of two mass graves, where they were tightly packed with their skeletons.
A large number of tightly compressed skeletal remains were discovered in a mass burial site in Nuremberg.
Nine additional individuals were observed by the excavation company piled on top of these skeletal remains in a sitting position.
The bodies of infants and young children were placed tightly into gaps between seated individuals, likely in an effort to maximize use of the available area.
In one of these pits, the number of excavated bodies reached nearly 300.
However, indications of excavation occurring after the burial of an uncertain number of bodies indicate that the exact number of people initially buried there may never be determined.
Bodies were interred in two different positions – one seated and the other lying on their side. The center of the pit was densely filled.
According to the archaeological excavation company, approximately 1,000 bodies have been discovered, recorded, and brought in for additional investigation from the excavated pits. The number is projected to reach 1,500 bodies.
Despite the damage that took place, anthropologist Florian Melzer commented that the skeletons are in great condition for examination.
“We are now able to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the information stored within these bones, such as the occurrence of various types of cancer, identifiable genetic mutations in skulls, methods for determining age and gender, and insights into overall health and lifestyle during this time period,” he stated.
As a result of the large number of burials, preparation was completed using makeshift bridges while in a raised position.
The Black Death, in multiple cycles between the 14th and 18th centuries, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals across Europe.
According to previous studies, individuals living in the Nuremberg area experienced three significant and multiple minor epidemics during the 16th and 17th centuries, resulting in an estimated 5,000 deaths in 1533, approximately 10,000 deaths in 1563, and nearly 15,000 deaths in 1634.
Terra Verita stated that the site is the largest mass burial in Germany known to us, and could potentially be the largest in Europe due to the estimated number of bodies.
This information is from the independent.co.uk website.
