Giant plague grave with 1,000 skeletons found in Germany

During preparations for a new retirement home in Nuremberg, Germany, archaeologists stumbled upon what might be the largest burial site of plague victims in Europe. So far, the excavation has revealed approximately 1,000 skeletons in mass graves at the city’s center, with estimates suggesting the site could hold over 1,500 individuals.

The preliminary analysis dates these burial pits to the first half of the 17th century. An interesting find was the greenish hue on some bones, thought to be from copper waste disposal from a nearby mill.

Melanie Langbein and Florian Melzer, archaeologists from the Nuremberg Department of Heritage Conservation, have committed to preserving and cataloging all human remains found during future construction. They anticipate that by spring, this site will be recognized as the largest plague victim emergency burial site unearthed in Europe.

This finding holds significant archaeological value as it represents a major emergency cemetery of plague victims. The bubonic plague, known for causing major pandemics such as the Black Death, had recurring outbreaks that affected cities like Nuremberg for centuries.

The manner of burial, not aligning with Christian traditions, suggests the urgent necessity to bury the dead quickly during plague epidemics. Further investigations, including DNA tests, are planned to confirm the presence of the Yersinia Pestis bacterium, which causes the plague.

Studying these remains will not only shed light on the plague’s impact on Nuremberg but also contribute to the broader historical understanding of the city.