Unearthing Ancient Secrets Beneath Berlin’s Pavement

Almost two decades ago, a team of archaeologists made a remarkable discovery beneath a parking lot in central Berlin. They unearthed the forgotten remains of nearly 4,000 individuals from a long-lost church cemetery that had been paved over by a former Communist regime.

Delving deep into the bones, some dating back to 1160, and ancient teeth, scientists uncovered surprising revelations. One of the most significant findings was evidence suggesting that the city had been inhabited much earlier than previously believed.

A Reverent Return to the Heart of the City

With extensive research on these early Berliners now complete, the remains of 100 medieval and early modern individuals have been returned to the city center. They will find their final resting place in a museum, Petri Berlin, located at the very site where they were once buried and subsequently covered up.

In a poignant act of repentance and homage initiated by the project’s lead archaeologist, a grand funeral procession took place last month. A horse-drawn hearse, accompanied by 100 contemporary Berliners, solemnly carried the coffins of the ancient settlers through the city’s streets.

“I wanted to demonstrate the vastness of life represented by the discovery of nearly 4,000 graves,” remarked Claudia M. Melisch, the archaeologist who spearheaded the excavation of the former St. Peter’s Church cemetery. “This gesture serves as a tribute to their existence and significance.”