Archaeologists began excavations in Hermering, Bavaria, as early as 2021. Construction is planned on this site. But it turned out that this is one of the largest excavations in this region.
This year, archaeologists unearthed something special. The well, which stood out among the others, and about 70 of them were found. All of them belong to the Bronze Age and the early Middle Ages. This unique well is very well preserved, but that is not the only thing that makes it special.
The wishing well is 3000 years old.
At the bottom of the well, archaeologists found more than 79 whole clay pots, 26 bronze clothespins, a pendant with an animal tooth and metal ornaments, and metal spirals.
The pots are distinguished by their decor, with detailed elements reminiscent of ceramics for funeral gifts of the Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1800-1200 BC).
These are not ordinary pots that were used in everyday life. It is also impressive that almost all ceramics are undamaged, even though they were at a depth of five meters. This indicates that the objects were not thrown into the well.
This pendant (found at the bottom of the pit) consists of an animal tooth wrapped in metal ornaments.
Archaeologists have come to the conclusion that this is a "wishing well".
"It is extremely rare that a well over 3,000 years old has been so well preserved. The wooden walls from below have been completely preserved and are still partially wet from groundwater. This also explains the good condition of the finds of organic material, which is now being investigated in more detail. We hope that this will give us more information about the daily life of the local residents at that time," adds the doctor, an archaeologist at the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments.
For ancient civilizations, water was a very important resource for survival. So natural springs, for more than one century, were associated with magic, as people often sanctified them or gave them ritual significance. They were fortified with stones, and wells were formed.
The wishing well has been a key element of folklore in Europe since prehistoric times. The mechanism was quite simple, people put a gift in the well and make a wish. Even now you can meet the tradition of throwing a coin into the well.
"The most obvious thing is that the wishing well was intended to offer sacrifices for a good harvest," says a professor at the Bavarian State Monuments Office.
Analysis of the material from the pit confirms that about 3,000 years ago, the groundwater level dropped. The artifacts found were placed around this time. And other archeological studies indicate that more than 4,000 years ago, the main activity of people in this area was agriculture. Scientists have come to the conclusion that when there was a great drought, people sacrificed valuable things, in return hoping for the appearance of water, and accordingly a good harvest.
At this time, the research of the findings continues. They are stored in the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments. Scientists plan to finish by the end of 2023, after which the findings will be transferred to the city museum of Hermering.
