A Remarkable Discovery Sheds Light on Pre-Christian Rituals
A team of archaeologists has unearthed a rare early medieval religious site, providing valuable insights into pre-Christian rituals and ceremonies. This significant discovery, detailed in Medieval Archaeology, sheds light on the religious practices of the elite during a time of spiritual transition.
Unearthing an Ancient Worship Site
The excavation took place in eastern Netherlands, near the village of Hezingen. The site first came to attention five years ago when metal detectors revealed gold and silver coins. A full-scale archaeological dig, conducted between 2020 and 2021, uncovered more than 190 artifacts, including gold tremisses (small medieval gold coins), a gold medallion, and various ritual objects. These findings suggest that Hezingen was an important ceremonial center where sacred offerings were made.
The Structure of the Ritual Space
The excavation revealed a circular arrangement of wooden posts surrounding an unusually shaped building, possibly the residence of a local leader (Herrenhof), dating back to the 6th century. Seventeen post holes were identified, with wooden beams aligned east to west. This orientation implies that seasonal ceremonies were held here, likely during the spring and autumn equinoxes, potentially linked to agricultural cycles such as sowing and harvest festivals.
Key Findings and Their Significance
Artifacts were discovered in three critical locations within the site. One area contained a single gold coin, another held nearly a dozen broken and intact tremisses, a gold medallion, and a silver earring. The third spot yielded additional fragments of gold coins and a small amulet.
Chemical analysis of the soil revealed traces of bone, indicating that animal sacrifices were likely a central aspect of the rituals performed at Hezingen. Researchers believe that the site was primarily used by the local elite, who offered valuable objects to emphasize their social status and religious influence. The presence of gold and silver votive offerings aligns with medieval missionary texts, which describe pre-Christian communities engaging in similar rituals.
Historical Accounts Confirming the Findings
Medieval records refer to such votive offerings using terms like diobolgeldæ or “devil’s money,” indicating that those converting to Christianity were required to renounce these pagan practices.
The site was in use for approximately 100 years before being abandoned in the late 7th or early 8th century. The reasons for its abandonment remain unclear, but several theories exist. One possibility is that the ruling elite may have adopted Christianity earlier than the general population, ceasing pagan rituals. Another theory suggests that Christian missionaries, such as Plechelmus and Lebuinus, who were active in the area around 760 AD, could have desecrated or repurposed the site for Christian worship.
A Rare Glimpse Into a Pivotal Era
Compared to Scandinavia, where extensive research has been conducted on pagan ritual sites, pre-Christian worship centers in the Netherlands, northern Germany, and Britain remain underexplored. This makes the Hezingen discovery exceptionally valuable, offering a rare glimpse into a society undergoing a profound religious transformation.
