- About a meter high: 12th-century stone discovered
In Vorpommern, during construction work on a house, a roughly one-meter-high boulder with an engraved figure was discovered. Archaeologists, based on initial examinations, believe it to be a Slavic image stone from the 12th century, as reported by the Ministry of Culture in Schwerin. The figure is thought to represent a religious dignitary or an early Christian adherent in Vorpommern.
The Slavic tribes residing in Pomerania were Christianized in the 12th century. Bishop Otto of Bamberg undertook two successful missionary journeys in 1124 and 1128 to the region on both sides of the Oder. Currently, a special exhibition at the Stadtgeschichtliches Museum Wolgast commemorates this.
The artifact has been taken to Schwerin for examination by the state heritage authority. State archaeologist Detlef Jantzen and Minister of Culture Bettina Martin (SPD) plan to present it to the public there next Wednesday.
The boulder, with its significant weight, was transported to Schwerin for thorough examination. The heavy responsibility of unveiling the ancient Slavic image stone to the public falls upon Minister Martin and State Archaeologist Jantzen.
