Around 150 miles Southwest of Berlin, an area was once dominated by the mighty Ottonian dynasty
Around 1,000 years ago, the Ottonians ruled. They originated from a territory that is today part of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
The dynasty oversaw the building of churches, monasteries, and castles throughout the area, many of which served as bases for political leaders and itinerant rulers.
Now, through a series of excavation initiatives, archaeologists and specialists with the State Office for the Protection of Monuments and Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt are attempting to discover more about the dynasty and its rule.
The excavations in the Altenburg of Großwangen were overseen by Felix Biermann. He told McClatchy News that one such expedition yielded startling outcomes.
Archaeologists discovered two prominent buildings: an outer castle and a rectangular core castle.
As specialists analyzed their findings, they were shocked to learn that the main castle was extraordinarily well-protected, according to Biermann. Experts claim that the ramparts and ditches that encircle the castle are remnants of Ottonian defenses.
There was a significantly intricate free-standing mortar wall dating back around 1,050 years. This is unlike similar structures from the time that were reinforced with wood-and-earth ramparts and capped by stone walls.
“The Altenburg is therefore very unusual and rather mysterious,” said Biermann. “At present there is much to suggest that it was a failed major project of an Ottonian emperor who planned a new ruling base here.”
“The Altenburg was certainly a central element of the Ottonian rule,” Biermann continued. “Obviously, one of the Ottonian rulers had great plans for the Altenburg and the Memleben dominion complex, which did not come to fruition.”
Archaeologists also unearthed a number of relics from the early Middle Ages.
Several small homes, stone and clay dome ovens, ceramics, animal bones, knives, and lances were discovered, according to specialists.
These discoveries, according to Biermann, were what they had projected to find.
“We had certain ideas about the expected findings. That the Altenburg belonged to the early Middle Ages was to be expected on the basis of its structural features, Biermann said. “The free-standing mortar wall, on the other hand, was a big surprise in its enormous dimension and strength, as was the low level of use of the castle, which did not match this fortification effort.”
