Luxembourg archaeologists unearth medieval cemetery
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Archaeologists in Vianden, Luxembourg, have discovered 163 skeletons while preparing land for a new youth hostel. The team from the National Institute of Archaeological Research began excavating the site in August after noticing sepulchers during initial groundwork for a parking lot.
The skeletons came from a medieval hospital cemetery used from the 13th to the 18th centuries. This discovery is unusual for Luxembourg because the country’s acidic soil rarely preserves skeletons well.
Researchers believe the cemetery had been lost to memory, though historical maps from the 18th century showed it existed beside a major trade route before presumed destruction during World War II. The team started preliminary investigations in 2021 after finding a Gothic window during work on an electrical substation. The archaeologists will now study the remains to learn more about life in the region, including demographics, health conditions, and social inequalities.
They plan to compare their findings with similar sites across Europe and will analyze the bones for clues about diet, origins, and possible migration patterns through DNA analysis. After the study concludes later this year, the Institute will rebury the skeletons in Vianden with the agreement of the Catholic Church.
