History of Europe

The Hammaburg:Hamburg's nucleus on Domplatz

by Tabea TschöpeRainer-Maria Weiss, director of the Archaeological Museum, at the place of origin in Hamburg.

Crumbs of earth under the microscope - after long, uncertain years, they play the leading role in this story. When archaeologists apparently unsuccessfully ended the search for Hamburg's historic nucleus - the Hammaburg - eight years ago, they certainly hadn't expected them. Remains of earth, collected during the various excavations on Domplatz, brought clarity to the riddle of Hammaburg under the microscope.

Hammaburg was a trading center

According to the researchers' analysis, it is now certain:the cradle of the Hamburgers was in the area of ​​today's Domplatz am Speersort. And it was built much earlier than previously thought. The castle was built in the 8th century instead of in the 9th. It is also clear what the ground plan of the complex looked like:a palisade fence and moat protected the approximately 50 meter wide castle complex. It was well connected to the Elbe, Alster and Bille. And:Contrary to what was assumed, there was no church in the castle complex. Chief archaeologist Weiss describes the Hammaburg primarily as a trading center.

Researchers had excavated the square three times:in the post-war years, in the 1980s and most recently in 2005 to 2006. They had not found any direct evidence of the Hammaburg. But then the research team led by Rainer-Maria Weiss, Director of the Archaeological Museum Hamburg, took another close look at the crumbs of earth from the various excavations:they found evidence of traces of fortifications, ditches and remains of ramparts. A small sensation for the history of the city. "It already feels very good. Finally, the Hammaburg is no longer a myth," says Weiss.

Surprising finds after almost 1,300 years

This is what the Hammaburg should have looked like.

The old question of mankind:"Where do I come from?" is answered for Hamburg. Not many major European cities could claim that. "Only a few cities of this size still have a place of origin. In Hamburg, on the other hand, it's free," explains Weiss. That is why it was at all possible to discover it 13 centuries later with the help of scientific methods. Also spectacular for Weiss:although the cathedral square was filled up or changed at several points in time, the archaeologists still found important remains. In addition to the crumb remains, for example, pottery shards that are dated to the 9th century.

Virtual exhibition about Hammaburg on the web

Until April 2015, an exhibition at the Hamburg Archaeological Museum highlighted the "Myth of Hammaburg" and presented the early historical finds. Those who missed the exhibition can get a glimpse of the exhibits on a virtual tour created by the museum in collaboration with the Google Art Project.