Lost medieval watercourse and opera house secrets unearthed in Braunschweig's Hagenmarkt

Archaeologists in Braunschweig have uncovered new details about the history of Hagenmarkt. Their findings reveal the location and construction of the former opera house, as well as traces of its medieval past. The discoveries include remnants of earlier structures and a long-lost watercourse. A medieval watercourse, likely a branch of the Oker River, once ran through the western part of Hagenmarkt. It remained open until the late medieval period, indicating the area’s appearance and use were quite different centuries ago.

Excavations have also exposed the foundations of medieval predecessor buildings. Among the artefacts recovered are wooden planks, posts, bones, pottery, bronze nails, and leather scraps from a 13th-century cobbler. The pottery has been dated to between 1250 and 1300, while the leather may have been used as a moisture barrier in a grillage foundation.

Dendrochronological analysis is refining the timeline of these finds. So far, it has confirmed two construction phases of the Hagenrathaus: one after 1359/60 and another around 1400. Gothic window tracery from this medieval building was later reused in the Baroque foundations of the opera house. The investigations have provided clearer insights into the construction history of Braunschweig’s Hagenmarkt. Wood samples are still being studied to further pinpoint the dates of the archaeological discoveries. The findings highlight the site’s evolution from medieval times to the Baroque era.