Archaeologists have discovered the remarkably well-preserved remains of a medieval convent, St. Clare's Convent, hidden for centuries beneath a soccer field in Roskilde, Denmark. The find was made using ground-penetrating radar during surveys for a planned underground parking facility.
Built in the 13th century, the convent was thought to be lost and was not protected as an ancient monument. The radar scans revealed the intact footprint of the convent complex, measuring approximately 230 feet by 230 feet. Officials from ROMU, a Danish museum organization, announced the discovery last month, noting that the survey showed a well-preserved convent complex about three feet below ground level.
The scans identified the structures of the convent, including rooms, cloisters, and a church in the southern wing. The eastern wing is particularly well-preserved, with clearly defined rooms and vault pillars. While the convent was demolished in the 16th century and an estimated 500,000 bricks were removed, much of its foundation and the lowest portions of its walls, constructed with large boulders, survived.
Jesper Langkilde, an archaeologist and museum curator at ROMU, described the discovery as "rare" and expressed surprise at the extent of preservation. He anticipates that trial excavations at the site will yield numerous artifacts from daily medieval life, including pottery sherds, animal bones, religious objects like pendant crosses and rosary beads, and items related to literacy such as writing utensils and book fittings. The presence of such items is expected, as medieval convents were centers of learning and had libraries.
Archaeologists also hope to find evidence of the nuns' diets and the plants cultivated in the convent gardens, provided organic remains are well-preserved. The discovery of burials could offer insights into the identities of the nuns and others interred at the convent. Furthermore, researchers are looking for signs of international connections, as the first nuns at St. Clare's are believed to have come from Strasbourg.
Langkilde emphasized the discovery's significance, stating it represents a major advancement in understanding medieval monasteries in Roskilde, which played a crucial role in the town's development as a prominent medieval center. He also highlighted the value of geophysical surveys in uncovering archaeological knowledge without initial excavation.