Excavations at Molkenmarkt: 600,000 finds already

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  Archaeologists have already recovered around 600,000 finds at Molkenmarkt.

• Everyday objects such as plates are among the finds made by the archaeologists at Molkenmarkt, as well as animal bones that provide clues to eating habits in the Middle Ages and early modern period.

Archaeologists have already recovered around 600,000 finds from past centuries during the excavations at Molkenmarkt behind the Rotes Rathaus in the heart of Berlin. These include oven tiles as well as coins, clay vessels, drinking glasses, leather shoes and a gold ring with a gemstone from around 1400.

The work is set to continue until the end of 2025, said Christoph Rauhut, Director of the State Monuments Office, when presenting the results so far. The extensive analysis of the finds will only begin after that. Some of these will be exhibited in the Archaeological House on Petriplatz. In addition, so-called archaeological windows will provide a glimpse into the past at Molkenmarkt. The excavation there began in 2019. It is currently the largest within a city center in the whole of Germany. "Something is happening every week," said Rauhut. Around 15,000 square meters have been examined by the archaeologists so far.

Since the spring, excavations have been taking place in the 6,500 square meter area under the old Grunerstrasse, said Rauhut. Among other things, the excavation team has uncovered the remains of several houses, wells and medieval toilets. From Rauhut's point of view, they are particularly interesting. "There was also a lot of garbage that can tell us a lot about the period," he said.