50 years of Osnabrück archeology: finds from 200,000 years of history!

50 years of Osnabrück archeology: finds from 200,000 years of history!

The annual meeting of the Archaeological Commission for Lower Saxony e.V. was recently held in Osnabrück and celebrated an important anniversary: ​​50 years of city and district archeology. This joint office of the city and district, which has existed since 1975, has established itself as a valuable institution over the past decades. Over 100 archaeologists from all over Lower Saxony came together to take part in this important event. The conference was opened by District Councilor Matthias Selle and First City Councilor Wolfgang Beckermann. The participants could look forward to various specialist lectures, working meetings and a general meeting, which took place both in the district hall and in the museum on Schölerberg. As landkreis-osnabrueck.de reported, the focus of the discussions was on the role of municipal archaeological monument preservation institutions and their importance for regional identity.

A special highlight was the evening lecture “Across the ages – 50 years of Osnabrück city and district archeology,” which was given by Axel Friederichs and Sara Snowadskay. Over the last 50 years, Osnabrück archeology has documented numerous archaeological monuments and sites, and the excursion, which led through the old town, offered participants the opportunity to experience some of these sites live. Further lectures and tours are already planned for the second half of the year, including an archaeological city walk and a tour of the work rooms. A special exhibition, designed by Judith Franzen, will also be presented in the district hall and focuses on the archaeological beginnings of this region.

Archaeological excavations on the Roland Wall

While the annual conference generated a lot of interest, interesting archaeological excavations were also taking place on the Roland Wall. On Tuesday morning, the archaeologists faced an unexpected challenge: despite sunshine, the ground was so frozen that the planned work could not begin. A team of archaeologists and students from Münster, led by Ellinor Fischer and Sara Snowadsky, are currently looking for clues about Osnabrück's city history. The excavations focus on the outer wall of the former Hünnefeld noble court, which was destroyed in the Second World War. Historical maps have helped archaeologists pinpoint the location of the farm, which was owned by the von dem Bussche-Hünnefeld family in the 16th century and whose history dates back to the 14th century.

The excavation is not only an important historical project, but also an opportunity for laypeople to view the finds: an “open excavation day” will take place on February 25th. The archaeologists hope to make exciting discoveries such as wells or cellars that could provide valuable information about the history of the city. Finds so far include horseshoes, shards of jars and animal bones, dated to various eras since the 8th century. The public can also look forward to the results, as some of the finds will later be exhibited in the new school building. This new building is scheduled to be built after the 2024 summer holidays to make space for the new peace school.

Osnabrück archeology has registered over 9,000 archaeological sites in its area of ​​​​around 2,250 square kilometers. The database includes almost 55,000 find records, although the actual number of finds is much higher. These impressive figures show how vibrant and diverse the archaeological landscape in the region is. In the coming months, the citizens of Osnabrück will have the opportunity to learn more about this fascinating history and to actively participate in it. Find out about further events at service.osnabrueck.de and stay tuned! Archaeologists are not only the guardians of history, but also links between the past and the future of our city.