During recent construction activities at the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) in Oberschleißheim, a suburb of Munich, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a previously unknown medieval settlement. This remarkable discovery dates back to the 9th to 13th centuries CE.

An aerial view of the medieval church. Credit: Archaeological Office Anzenberger & Leicht GbR

The excavation has revealed a variety of structural remains, including the foundations of houses, ovens, pit houses, earth cellars, and the outline of a church with a recessed apse. These findings suggest that the settlement was once a thriving community before it was mysteriously abandoned around the early 14th century.

Researchers are currently investigating whether the Black Death, which ravaged parts of Southern Germany and Austria during that period, might have contributed to its desertion. Soil samples and detailed analyses of the human remains found at the site may provide further clues.

The discovery was unexpected, as there were initially no clear indications of a settlement or church at the location. However, after thorough research of historical maps and other documents, experts have proposed that the settlement might have been known as “Wagrain.” This name, once ᴀssociated with the region, had been lost to history until now.

Skeleton in a grave pit. Credit: Archaeological Office Anzenberger & Leicht GbR

One of the most significant aspects of the find is the church at the heart of the settlement, surrounded by approximately 20 burials. Beneath the church’s floor, archaeologists have identified a burial pit, the contents of which remain a mystery.

According to Dr. Jochen Haberstroh, Deputy Head of the Department of Archaeological Heritage at the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection (BLfD), “Burials inside a church were rare in the early Middle Ages and typically reserved for individuals of high status. The discovery of this settlement helps us better understand the history of the region during the time of Munich’s founding.”

The excavation site in Oberschleißheim is not the first to yield medieval remains, but this particular discovery stands out due to its completeness and the wealth of information it offers about the settlement’s layout and organization. “Early medieval settlement remains in the Munich gravel plain have been increasingly found due to intensified construction activities in recent years, but this find is particularly informative due to its completeness,” Dr. Haberstroh noted.

The ongoing archaeological work has garnered significant interest, with researchers eager to uncover more about the lives of the people who once inhabited the area. The analysis of the soil layers corresponding to the time of abandonment, alongside a detailed study of the burials, could potentially explain why this once-thriving community was left deserted.

Once the archaeological investigations are completed, the site will be used to construct a new building for the more than 200 employees of the BfS. Inge Paulini, President of the BfS, said: “The excavations and their exciting findings demonstrate that this area north of Munich was attractive even in earlier times, with much still to explore.”

Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation