Archaeologists investigating the area beneath the tomb of Emperor Otto the Great in Magdeburg Cathedral have uncovered traces of centuries of construction activity, medieval passageways, and a range of artifacts that shed new light on the history of one of Germany’s most important monuments.
Otto I, known as Otto the Great, ruled from 936 to 973 and laid the foundations for what later became the Holy Roman Empire. Buried in Magdeburg Cathedral beside his wife Editha, his tomb has occupied a central position in the cathedral choir since the rebuilding of the church in the thirteenth century.
Earlier this year, anthropological and genetic analyses confirmed that the remains recovered from the damaged inner coffin were indeed those of Otto I. Those remains are scheduled to be reburied on September 1 in a newly designed coffin.
Restoring a Threatened Monument
Among the rare finds are fragments of transparent crystalline gypsum, which were used, for example, as window glazing. Photo by Claudio Dähnel/Denis Dittrich/State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt
The current phase of the project focuses on preserving the emperor’s limestone sarcophagus, which had become increasingly unstable. Researchers determined that much of the damage was caused by corroding iron nails and clamps inserted during nineteenth-century repairs, along with moisture and salts rising from the ground below.
To allow conservation work to proceed, the sarcophagus was removed from its traditional location and transferred to a specially constructed enclosure inside the cathedral. Conservators are now removing the corroded iron elements and cleaning the reused antique marble cover slab.
The relocation also provided archaeologists with their first opportunity to investigate the foundations beneath the monument.
Excavations revealed that the sarcophagus rested on large sandstone blocks, beneath which lay longer reused stones. Two of these foundation blocks bear late medieval stonemasons’ marks, suggesting that the tomb was moved more than once during its history.
Researchers also discovered evidence of several medieval and early modern construction phases beneath the High Choir. Layers of rubble and fill point to repeated alterations to the cathedral interior over the centuries.
Archaeologists were also able to examine the cathedral’s long-known but still enigmatic system of passageways beneath the High Choir floor. Some sections may date back to the Middle Ages, although much of the network was filled in during the nineteenth century to prevent subsidence.
Despite the new discoveries, the excavations found no evidence that Otto’s tomb occupied the same position in the cathedral’s predecessor building. As a result, the original burial location of the emperor remains uncertain.
The excavation also yielded a variety of finds. Coins, glass beads, ceramics, glazed roof tiles, pins from clothing, animal bones and fragments of crystalline gypsum, once used as window glazing, were recovered. A lead bullet provided evidence of Magdeburg’s turbulent history.
The most numerous finds, however, were painted plaster fragments. According to the archaeologists, these pieces once formed part of the richly coloured decoration of earlier churches that stood on the site before the present cathedral.
The conservation work has been designed to minimise disruption to visitors and worshippers. Medieval treasures such as the thirteenth-century sculptures of Saint Maurice and Saint Catherine remain accessible, while information panels and digital displays explain the ongoing project.
The latest excavations represent another chapter in efforts to preserve the tomb of one of medieval Europe’s most influential rulers. Although many questions surrounding Otto the Great’s burial remain unanswered, archaeologists continue to uncover traces of the centuries of history that surround his resting place.
Archaeologists investigating the area beneath the tomb of Emperor Otto the Great in Magdeburg Cathedral have uncovered traces of centuries of construction activity, medieval passageways, and a range of artifacts that shed new light on the history of one of Germany’s most important monuments.
The discoveries are part of an ongoing conservation project launched at the beginning of this year after serious structural problems threatened the emperor’s tomb. The work is being carried out jointly by the Saxony-Anhalt Cultural Foundation and the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology of Saxony-Anhalt, together with the Evangelical Cathedral Parish and the Evangelical Church in Central Germany.
Otto I, known as Otto the Great, ruled from 936 to 973 and laid the foundations for what later became the Holy Roman Empire. Buried in Magdeburg Cathedral beside his wife Editha, his tomb has occupied a central position in the cathedral choir since the rebuilding of the church in the thirteenth century.
Earlier this year, anthropological and genetic analyses confirmed that the remains recovered from the damaged inner coffin were indeed those of Otto I. Those remains are scheduled to be reburied on September 1 in a newly designed coffin.
Restoring a Threatened Monument
The current phase of the project focuses on preserving the emperor’s limestone sarcophagus, which had become increasingly unstable. Researchers determined that much of the damage was caused by corroding iron nails and clamps inserted during nineteenth-century repairs, along with moisture and salts rising from the ground below.
To allow conservation work to proceed, the sarcophagus was removed from its traditional location and transferred to a specially constructed enclosure inside the cathedral. Conservators are now removing the corroded iron elements and cleaning the reused antique marble cover slab.
The relocation also provided archaeologists with their first opportunity to investigate the foundations beneath the monument.
Excavations revealed that the sarcophagus rested on large sandstone blocks, beneath which lay longer reused stones. Two of these foundation blocks bear late medieval stonemasons’ marks, suggesting that the tomb was moved more than once during its history.
Researchers also discovered evidence of several medieval and early modern construction phases beneath the High Choir. Layers of rubble and fill point to repeated alterations to the cathedral interior over the centuries.
Medieval Passages and Lost Decorations
Archaeologists were also able to examine the cathedral’s long-known but still enigmatic system of passageways beneath the High Choir floor. Some sections may date back to the Middle Ages, although much of the network was filled in during the nineteenth century to prevent subsidence.
Despite the new discoveries, the excavations found no evidence that Otto’s tomb occupied the same position in the cathedral’s predecessor building. As a result, the original burial location of the emperor remains uncertain.
The excavation also yielded a variety of finds. Coins, glass beads, ceramics, glazed roof tiles, pins from clothing, animal bones and fragments of crystalline gypsum, once used as window glazing, were recovered. A lead bullet provided evidence of Magdeburg’s turbulent history.
The most numerous finds, however, were painted plaster fragments. According to the archaeologists, these pieces once formed part of the richly coloured decoration of earlier churches that stood on the site before the present cathedral.
Work Continues
The conservation work has been designed to minimise disruption to visitors and worshippers. Medieval treasures such as the thirteenth-century sculptures of Saint Maurice and Saint Catherine remain accessible, while information panels and digital displays explain the ongoing project.
The latest excavations represent another chapter in efforts to preserve the tomb of one of medieval Europe’s most influential rulers. Although many questions surrounding Otto the Great’s burial remain unanswered, archaeologists continue to uncover traces of the centuries of history that surround his resting place.
Top Image: The protective enclosure in the High Choir of Magdeburg Cathedral, where conservation work on the tomb of Otto the Great has been underway since January 2025. Photo: © State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt, Andrea Hörentrup.
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