Sensational finds: Archaeologists discover Roman cremation grave in Delbrück!

Sensational finds: Archaeologists discover Roman cremation grave in Delbrück!

In Delbrück-Bentfeld, not far from Paderborn, archaeologists led by the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe (LWL) have made remarkable finds during excavations. Researchers have been digging in this area since November 2024, and the discoveries are extremely revealing: more than 400 archaeological findings have been documented, including the remains of buildings and a fascinating cremation grave from the 4th or 5th century.

The cremated grave in question attracted particular attention because it contained a Roman military belt buckle, indicating contact with Roman culture. The deceased could therefore have served as a Germanic mercenary in the Roman military. In the spring of 2025, a Roman knife was discovered in the area, which complements the finds. This is the first time that a burial with proven parts of a Roman military belt has been discovered in East Westphalia.

Extraordinary discoveries around the cremation grave

Particularly noteworthy is a well-preserved well structure from the Migration Period, which was discovered shortly before the excavations were completed. The well tube, which has a diameter of over one meter, consists of three tree trunk parts and is equipped with organic materials. A piece of beam with incisions and a layer of charcoal suggests that this well may also have been used as a cremation site. In the charcoal layer, the researchers found burnt bones and glass beads, which may be interpreted as burial offerings. Further scientific analyzes are planned to find out more about the vegetation at the time and the exact age of the finds.

The history of the Abdinghof Church in Paderborn

Meanwhile, the Abdinghof Church, which was consecrated by Bishop Meinwerk in 1016, is being renovated in Paderborn. After the destruction in the Second World War, significant excavations took place between 1948 and 1956 under the direction of Bernhard Ortmann, which revealed the building history of the monastery church. Recent renovation plans include designing new walls and installing underfloor heating. Particular attention is paid to the newly discovered two round column bases in the central nave, whose function raises questions about the design of the church interior. These could either belong to a previous building or perhaps represent a choir screen.

In addition, a baroque crypt with a brick barrel vault discovered in the central nave made people sit up and take notice. Prof. Dr. Michael Rind from Paderborn City Archeology emphasizes that despite these finds, many questions remain unanswered and comprehensive measures are required to gain more clarity about the history of this venerable church.

A look at Roman archaeology

Roman archeology has become significantly more important in recent years. The methodological and content-related developments of this discipline are discussed in various national and international contexts. Current challenges, innovative classification models and concrete case studies paint a vivid picture of Roman archeology and challenge researchers to self-reflect, as the book by Stefan Krmnicek and Dominik Maschek shows. In the digital age, the exchange between different research traditions becomes even more valuable.

These exciting archaeological developments make it clear that the old and the new are inextricably linked in our history. Whether it's the grave finds in Delbrück-Bentfeld or the renovation work on the Abdinghof Church - the past can be actively experienced and offers a variety of points of reference for the present.

For detailed information about the finds in Delbrück-Bentfeld you can visit Ruhr24. More about the Abdinghofkirche and its renovation can be found on Westfalen-Blatt. Anyone interested in Roman archeology should take a look at the book at Heidelberg University Archives.