Archaeologists finally crack the code on medieval mystery grave
The bodies of two medieval children have revealed secrets about the very foundations of early Europe — and they could even be linked to Emperor Charlemagne, the first leader of the Holy Roman Empire. Deutsche Welle reports that the children's bodies, first discovered in Frankfurt's St. Bartholomäus Cathedral in 1992, represent a pivotal point in the transition from a pagan Europe to a Christian one.
While the grave was long thought to belong to a single child, researchers have found that it in fact held two: The first body, a girl's, was discovered covered in jewels, while the other body was cremated. The girl is now thought to have been buried in 730 in the central axis of the cathedral, and was likely celebrated by the region's worshippers for centuries after her death. The ashes of the second child, who scientists guess was around four, was found with bear claws and animal bones, which indicate Scandinavian pagan traditions. The girl similarly wore jewelry linking her to Northern Europe. However, a gold-trimmed cross on the children's shroud tells scientists that their burial was Christian — a mark of the religious crossroads the lower Rhine River region found itself in at the time.
Researchers additionally speculate that the girl might have belonged to the Hedenen family, an influential noble clan from which Charlemagne selected his fourth wife, Fastrada. At least there is one connection to the emperor that is certain: St. Bartholomäus Cathedral was where Charlemagne launched the Council of Frankfurt and began the 844-year reign of the Holy Roman Empire.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
More than 2,000 dead following massive earthquake in Morocco
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mexico's next president will almost certainly be its 1st female president
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
North Korea's Kim to visit Putin in eastern Russia to discuss arms sales for Ukraine war, U.S. says
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Gabon's military leader sworn in following coup in latest African uprising
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published