In a small town in southern Germany, construction crews working on Würzburger Street in Burgfarrnbach uncovered a forgotten relic beneath the modern road surface, as the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection reported in a news release.

Drone view of the excavation on Würzburger Straße. Credit: Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation

The discovery, made during routine road construction work in November 2023, revealed the remnants of a centuries-old boardwalk that once served as a vital trade route between Nuremberg and Frankfurt. As road construction workers uncovered this boardwalk, archaeologists revealed wood planks, ʙuттons, horseshoes, and even a silver coin from the early modern period.

Dendrochronological dating of pine planks uncovered pinpointed the felling date to the year 1773, further corroborating the historical timeline of the boardwalk.

According to the Bavarian State Office for Monument Protection, the wooden pathway is mentioned in historical documents. The community chronicle of 1592 states that the residents were asked to maintain and, if necessary, repair the path.

Credit: Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation

The Bohlenweg’s role in connecting Nuremberg and Frankfurt during the 1700s was pivotal for the region’s economic and cultural exchange. This thoroughfare likely carried horse-drawn carriages loaded with goods along with everyday travelers.

One of the most remarkable historical events ᴀssociated with the boardwalk occurred in 1790 when a grand procession paraded through Burgfarrnbach. On September 27th of that year, noble carriages and horses showcased the imperial crown and the Holy Lance – treasures of the German emperors and kings. This spectacle, witnessed by the inhabitants of Fürth, marked a significant moment in the boardwalk’s history.

The wooden plank road, having served as a crucial route and witnessing historical events, eventually evolved into a paved road, following the example of Berlin. Despite its transformation, the boardwalk was forgotten over time until its recent rediscovery.

Now, an archaeological team is recovering the remarkably preserved wooden planks and artifacts buried for centuries. The meticulous excavation process, documented by the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation, aims to preserve a section of the road for further research and public presentation.