The extensive excavations on the site of the former royal palace of Helfta near Eisleben continue. The stately buildings are to be uncovered this year.

Eisleben (dpa/sa) - Extensive excavations began again on Monday on the site of the former royal palace of Helfta near Eisleben (Mansfeld-Südharz district). "This year, the hidden remains of the Helphideburg, the Carolingian fortification of the 8th/9th century, are being searched for on an area of ​​around 1,500 square meters," said project manager and archaeologist Felix Biermann from the State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology in Saxony-Anhalt press agency. "The remains of the Ottonian Palatinate from the 10th century are also the subject of investigations," said Biermann.

The excavators hope to uncover the foundations and cellar pits of the medieval settlement. "The ramparts of the castle and parts of the Palatinate settlement with residential buildings, stately residential buildings and commercial buildings are also the targets of the excavation campaign," said Biermann. "We are expecting numerous finds from the Middle Ages." Students from Stettin, Poland, Halle and Berlin are also taking part in the excavation, which lasts until the beginning of October.

The research excavation started last year. The long-lost remains of the royal palace of Helfta on the hill "Kleine Klaus" were rediscovered in 2009 by geomagnetic prospecting. The core area of ​​the castle and palace complex covers around 12 hectares.