18-04-2025
Unusual 17th-century military grave puzzled experts. But now, new clues are found
Archaeologists in Germany recently uncovered a trove of artifacts from a 17th-century military camp — including some that shed light onto a mysterious grave.
Located on the outskirts of Nuremberg, the sprawling camp dates to the Thirty Years' War, a series of highly destructive conflicts that took place across the European continent between 1618 and 1648.
The camp was constructed by General Albrecht von Wallenstein of the Holy Roman Empire in 1632. Measuring nearly 10 miles long, it housed approximately 50,000 soldiers, 15,000 horses and an entourage of thousands more people, including jugglers and prostitutes.
After two years of excavations, conducted in 2022 and 2023, archaeologists are now revealing their findings, according to an April 16 news release from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection.
Mysterious grave
Previous excavations had turned up an unusual burial site on the edge of the camp.
Inside the grave — the only thoroughly examined individual burial site in the camp — are the skeletal remains of a young person, believed to be a woman, archaeologists said.
Interestingly, the bones are oriented in a lateral position, which is completely out of step with typical Christian burial customs.
A bronze ring was found on the deceased individual's left hand, and several pieces of clothing were recovered as well, archaeologists said.
A new analysis revealed that the garments were crafted with an elaborate technique using luxury materials, including silk, silver and gold.
These findings, archaeologists said, indicate the deceased individual belonged to the upper echelons of society. They suggested that she may have been the wife of a military officer.
But further details — such as the cause of death — may never be known, archaeologists said.
Other artifacts
The recent excavation also turned up an array of other artifacts that help paint a picture of daily life in a 17th-century military camp.
Among the pieces found were buttons, needles, silver wire, knives, scissors, and ceramic fragments, archaeologists said.
Additionally, a series of coins were unearthed, including Kreuzers, which were used by German states. Some were emblazoned with images of Maximilian I of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III.
Further, archaeologists discovered fragments of lead bullets and deposits of metal wheels — which were likely safeguarded to prevent them from falling into enemy hands after the army left camp.
The Holy Roman Empire army did eventually move on from the camp, engaging in several skirmishes with the Swedish army stationed nearby.
The two forces met head on in the Battle of Lützen in November of 1632. The battle — one of the most important in the entire war — resulted in a Swedish victory, though it cost the life of Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus, according to Oxford University.
Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection.
