Elite burials and the Merovingian settlement: archaeologists conducted extensive excavations (photos)

Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient settlement in Kellede, which indicates thousands of years of continuous habitation and connections between early European societies. Excavations conducted by the Thuringian State Office for Heritage Preservation and Archaeology (TLDA) revealed a settlement dated to the 4th millennium BC to the 7th century AD, along with a series of burials, writes Heritage Daily.

Within the Kellede area, archaeologists found 17 burials dated to the 6th-7th centuries AD, pointing to the influence of the Frankish Empire over a territory that once belonged to the Kingdom of Thuringia. These graves, containing weapons, luxurious glassware, and exquisite jewelry, indicate the high status of those interred.

Notably, 11 of these graves contained the remains of decapitated horses, highlighting the significance of these figures in Frankish culture. Additionally, to the south of the burial site, a Merovingian-era settlement with around 70 structures dated to 1300 years ago was discovered, which is a rare find in central Germany.

One of the notable graves contained a two-chamber burial surrounded by large stones. TLDA researchers carefully transported this burial to their laboratory for detailed analysis.

Micro-excavations revealed the skeleton of a woman, now referred to as the "Lady of Kellede." It is estimated that she was 25-30 years old at the time of her death, and she was buried with personal items, including gold and silver jewelry, as well as a meticulously crafted bronze vessel. The craftsmanship of these items suggests cultural connections with central Italy and the Mediterranean.

These excavations allow researchers and the public to gain a deeper understanding of early European settlements, cultural connections, and social structures. The discovery in Kellede is invaluable in illustrating the scale and influence of early Germanic and Frankish societies and their complex, intertwined histories.

We also reported on the birthplace of Totonac culture. This site thrived between 200 and 100 years BC and remained inhabited for several centuries thereafter.