Conny Waters – AncientPages.com – A 900-year-old image stone from the twelfth century was found throughout house renovation work in Germany. House owner Peter Wittenberg unearthed this uncommon artifact whereas engaged on his home’s basis.
The stone was discovered just under the bottom’s floor, positioned horizontally close to a wall. Its most notable function is an engraved picture depicting a person carrying a cross on his abdomen. Recognizing the potential significance of his discover, Wittenberg promptly contacted native cultural authorities.
A uncommon Medieval image stone was discovered within the village of Klotzow. Credit score: WKM MV
Preliminary assessments counsel that the stone originates from the twelfth century. Consultants imagine the engraved determine represents both a Christian dignitary or a follower of Christianity. Such artifacts from the Christianization interval are thought-about extraordinarily uncommon and worthwhile to historians.
Wittenberg’s home, believed to have been constructed within the 18th century, means that the stone could have been repurposed as a step or as a part of a bricked-up doorway.
“This discovery is especially related within the context of the Christianization of Pomerania, which is attributed to Bishop Otto of Bamberg. Apparently, the 900th anniversary of his first missionary journey shall be commemorated in 2024.
The unearthing of this image stone has generated appreciable pleasure amongst historians and archaeologists. It supplies tangible proof of the area’s non secular historical past and the unfold of Christianity in medieval Germany.
Otto of Bamberg is depicted in a Romanesque fresco, Prüfening Abbey, c. 1130. Credit score: Wolfgang Sauber – CC BY-SA 4.0
With this exceptionally vital discover, we will add one other necessary piece to our nation’s historical past mosaic. Bishop Otto of Bamberg undertook his first missionary journey to Pomerania in 1124. The invention of an image stone from this era exactly 900 years later is extraordinarily lucky. The finder deserves thanks and the best recognition for reporting his discover instantly. Consultants from the State Workplace for Tradition and Monument Preservation and the decrease monument safety authority will now safe and additional look at this distinctive discover.
Finder Peter Wittenberg, Tradition Minister Bettina Martin, and state archaeologist Dr. Detlef Jantzen on the presentation of the stone. Credit score: WKM MV
Additional investigations are deliberate in Klotzow to find out the unique location of the picture stone. It probably arrived at its present location solely within the nineteenth century. The State Workplace for Tradition and Monument Preservation’s archaeological restoration workshop in Schwerin will additional doc and look at the picture stone. Plans are underway to search out methods to set it up in a protected location in Klotzow,” Minister of Tradition Bettina Martin stated in a press statement.
“The importance of this discover can’t be overstated. The invention from Klotzow is the one one which doubtlessly reveals a Christian dignitary. We are going to now examine the stone’s authentic location. Klotzow, one of many traditionally documented ferry factors to Usedom, could have performed a job in Otto von Bamberg’s missionary journeys.
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Solely 5 comparable stones are recognized in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: one every in Bergen on Rügen, Altenkirchen on Rügen, and Grüttow close to Anklam, in addition to two in Wolgast,” State archaeologist Dr. Detlef Jantzen stated.
Written by Conny Waters – AncientPages.com Workers Author
