Archaeologists in Germany have made a significant discovery that sheds light on the lives and customs of the medieval Slavic people who inhabited the region. During excavations near Wettin-Löbejün, they uncovered a well-preserved settlement and burial ground dating back to the 5th to 11th centuries CE.

The settlement, spanning 1.2 acres, provides insights into the daily life and economic activities of its inhabitants. The fortified enclosure, individual farmsteads, and craftsmen’s quarter offer a glimpse into the community’s structure and organization. The discovery of pits for extracting bog iron ore and a blast furnace indicates the importance of metalworking in the region. Evidence of textile production suggests that the settlement was also engaged in other crafts.

Adjacent to the settlement, a burial ground containing approximately 60 graves has been excavated. The graves, aligned in two parallel rows, provide valuable information about the burial practices and beliefs of the Slavic people. The majority of the graves date to the 10th and 11th centuries CE and adhere to Christian burial rites. The presence of head niches, a common feature during that time, suggests a strong connection to Christian traditions.

Among the burials, two notable findings stand out. A family grave containing the remains of two adults and two children offers a glimpse into the social structure and family dynamics of the community. The discovery of a child’s burial with beads placed in the chest area suggests that the community had special rituals or beliefs associated with the burial of children.

The archaeological discoveries in Wettin-Löbejün provide a valuable window into the past and offer insights into the lives of the Slavic people who inhabited this region. The settlement and burial ground offer a glimpse into their daily lives, their economic activities, their beliefs, and their social structures. These discoveries contribute to our understanding of the history and culture of medieval Europe.