During excavations in Upper Bavaria, archaeologists have uncovered a Bronze Age “wishing well”. The well-preserved well, which is over 3,000 years old, was clearly used not only as a well, but also for ritual purposes, as evidenced by the offerings at the bottom.
At least, this is apparent from the finds at the bottom of the approximately five-meter-deep pit, according to researchers from the Bavarian State Agency for Monument Preservation (BLFD). During the archaeological excavations, they were able to recover 26 bronze clothing pins (photo below) and more than 70 clay vessels.
According to the BLFD scientists, the sheer number and quality of the objects would indicate that they were not accidentally dropped into the well, but rather that they were dropped deliberately and unharmed – for example, as part of cult rituals.
The ceramics are therefore not everyday crockery, but rather finely worked, decorated bowls, cups and jugs (photo below), as they were also used as burial gifts in the Middle Bronze Age (circa 1800 to 1200 BC). on a broadcast.
Sacrifices for a good harvest?
“Even today, fountains have something magical for many people. They drop coins in the hope that their wishes will be granted. Today we can no longer understand what motives motivated our ancestors 3000 years ago to offer jewelry and other valuable gifts. However, it would be clear that they were intended as sacrifices for a good harvest,” explains BLFD’s general curator, Mathias Pfeil.
Wooden walls are completely preserved
It is rare for a well to survive more than 3000 years so well. The wooden walls have been completely preserved at the bottom and are still partly damp from the groundwater. This also explains the good condition of the finds of organic material, which, according to the BLFD, are now being investigated further.
The urban area of Germering, which is well maintained archaeologically, has for decades regularly yielded unusual artifacts for research into prehistory and early history in Bavaria. Since the beginning of 2021, archaeologists have been working on the construction of a letter distribution center in the area where the well has now been discovered.
Source: Krone
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