Middle Ages12th century AD onwards · Nonneseter, Bergen, Vestland, Norway
Brick foundations of lost medieval convent church likely found under Bergen, Norway
Archaeologists also found two burials in the former choir of Nonneseter Monastery's church, a prestigious burial place close to the altar.
In brief 3 key points
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- Brick foundations probably from a medieval convent church found in Bergen.
- Two burials lay in the choir near the altar.
- Only parts survive and the dig cannot go any deeper.
Archaeologists in central Bergen, Norway, have found a large brick foundation that they think belonged to the church of Nonneseter Monastery. The Benedictine convent is believed to have been founded in the first half of the 12th century. The team also found two human burials in what was once the church's choir, the area around the altar.
The excavation is run by the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU). The site was until recently covered by Bergen's former silverware factory and a neighbouring residential building.
The foundation lies between the only two medieval buildings of the complex still standing above ground. Tårnfoten, the Tower Foot, is to the west. Korkapellet, the Choir Chapel, is to the east.
“Our task is to investigate and document the traces of the monastery.”
Ambjørg Reinsnos, project manager at NIKU
Parts of the church walls identified
Stone and brick structures next to the wall of Korkapellet have been interpreted as the eastern wall of the church's choir. In the western part of the excavation area, the archaeologists found what may be traces of a transverse wall, one running across the church.
Only parts of the church have been exposed. Some sections seem to have been destroyed completely by recent building and digging. Elsewhere, more medieval foundations may survive under modern floors and building foundations.
The new brickwork could help researchers reconstruct the church's layout and architecture in more detail. It may also refine what is known of the building's size and construction.
“The findings provide important knowledge both about the medieval church and about what needs to be considered when the area is put to new use.”
Ambjørg Reinsnos, project manager at NIKU
Medieval Bergen grew into one of Scandinavia's most important trading and church centres. Over later centuries the city changed, and most of the Nonneseter complex disappeared. The church itself vanished beneath later buildings.
Two burials in the prestigious choir
The dig took place inside the former choir, one of the most sacred parts of a medieval Christian church. Burial inside a church was restricted and generally a considerable privilege. The choir was especially prestigious because it was close to the altar.
People buried there could include clergy, royalty and wealthy individuals. They could also include benefactors who had given money, property or land to the Church.
Human remains have turned up at Nonneseter several times before. A dig in the choir in 1892 found burials in several layers. In 2006 NIKU found about 30 graves from the monastic period, several of them under the floor of the former choir. Earlier work also found building foundations, floor tiles and artefacts from the monastery.
“We know from previous investigations that people were buried both in and near the choir. It is possible that there are more human remains, but we cannot dig deeper than what the project owner has applied for.”
Ambjørg Reinsnos, project manager at NIKU
The excavation comes ahead of a new public square around the Nonneseter light rail stop. Bergen Municipality and Vestland County Municipality lead the project. It removed the old factory and a neighbouring building to make room for the square and better routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
Plans include marking the outline of the church in the new square, between Tårnfoten and Korkapellet. The remains are protected cultural heritage, so construction must take account of what survives underground. NIKU is documenting the finds as part of the heritage management process before the redevelopment goes ahead.
Sources (1)
News reportsfrom NIKU (Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research)
- Medieval monastery church discovered beneath central Bergen (HeritageDaily)
Edited by Guiseppe Weijermars
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