Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered the remains of a medieval farm complex in the town of Greven-Gimbte, dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries. The excavation, supervised by the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL), revealed waste pits, a barrel well, and evidence of wooden structures.
“Here we are looking directly into the early days of Gimbte,” said excavation manager Stefanie Menne. The findings include a barrel well, a feature created by sinking a disused wooden barrel deep into the ground to serve as a well wall. Remarkably, parts of the barrel have been preserved in the groundwater to this day.
The team also documented the post holes of several wooden houses, which remain visible in the light sandy soil, providing insights into high medieval construction techniques. Additionally, the presence of ditches indicates a need for water drainage and suggests the area underwent changing divisions into plots over time.
The excavation is taking place in Greven, located in western Germany, around the planned fire station in Gimbte. Current efforts focus on the rainwater retention basin and the paved area in front of the site. The work, conducted on behalf of the city of Greven, aims to uncover further details about the region’s early settlement history.
The latest findings will add to the growing understanding of Gimbte’s medieval past, including the period when its first church was constructed within sight of the settlement. The archaeological project offers a rare glimpse into daily life and development during the high Middle Ages in this part of Westphalia.
Top Image: View of high medieval house floor plans. Photo: Archäologie am Hellweg eG/A. de Wall
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