Translation and editing from the German by Norman John Pihale, Northfield, Minnesota, USA
Archeological Discoveries on the Wallern Village Meadow Plain 1959
(chronicler: Josef Hofstädter)

Southeastward from Wallern around the turn of the century stretched a flat, swampy area. Along those rural roads and on historical maps there appeared to be no early settlements. It was here that in recent decades many changes occurred.  At one time this region was an important producer of peat. Due in part to climatic changes and also to intensive efforts to install modern artificial drainage systems, the former marshlands are tillable farmland for today’s farmers.

As the farmers began to work on the installation of drainage systems and proceeded with the reclamation of this land, they repeatedly came across indications of much earlier human activity in the area. They recognized that this ground, which had for so long lain fallow, possessed incredible information and clues about the people who had lived there so long ago.

It is here, east of Wallern, that one can find remnants of a patch of reed. This location today is called "the old village", named for Wallern, which once stood in this location. Although the majority of the area is extremely flat and at a very low elevation above sea level, there are a number of elevations on the landscape which are somewhat raised above the surrounding territory. All of these hills have names. One is called the "Burgstall" or castle-stable. The smallest upheaval is a prominent point in the landscape. These hills are both natural and man-made places that afforded a place of refuge and  protective safety for the local population in times of distress.

Within this framework of knowledge and discoveries science was able to begin painting a picture of the past in the plains east of Wallern. The most important findings, however, came to light in late autumn of last year and in September of this year (1959).

Local farmer Paul Theiler was somewhat annoyed that on his property (and former marshland) was a small hill approximately 1 meter higher than the surrounding land. This hill was circular and about 20 meters in diameter. Since this hill was an obstruction that he had to plow around when planting and harvesting, Theiler began to grade and plane the hill in an effort to make it level with the other surrounding farmland. Within only a short while, he uncovered several sets of skeletal human remains that appeared to be from a much earlier era. He recognized immediately the importance of his discovery, and dutifully reported his findings to the local community governmental offices.

Local officials contacted the Burgenlaendische Landesmuseum and likewise reported this interesting and valuable find. Shortly thereafter, under the direction of the Burgenlaendischen National archaeologist, Dr. A. Ohrenberger, and two of his lab technicians, a project was undertaken which exposed the first of three graves within the small hill. Because of the natural preservation characteristics of the land, the burial sites were very well preserved.  The dead were positioned on their backs in an east-west direction in graves approximately 50 cm deep.
 

The skeletal remains were from the (11) Eleventh Century and were in excellent condition. With the remains were the jewelry that was buried with each body. There were bronze rings around the necks, and bronze rings on the right hands. Because of the items found with the remains, it was relatively easy to determine that these people lived in the Eleventh Century after Christ. This was approximately the time period in which Neudorf mit Parndorf, as well as other places between Bruck an der Leitha and Wieselburg first appeared. With this initial discovery it became apparent that these medieval gravesites were actually located above an even older stratum of graves from an earlier era.

Searchers recovered fragments of vessels such as pots and containers, vases, and also some iron cinders. Upon this discovery, immediate plans were made for a systematic dig of the area. Prolonged bad weather postponed the dig until it had to be rescheduled for the following year.

When the dig finally commenced, excavations brought some truly stunning results. This and other nearby 1-meter-high hills contained 55 excellently preserved human skeletal remains. The interred lay, except for one, in an east-west direction. They were on their backs with the arms usually positioned alongside the bodies. The remains had the imposing length of 1.70 to 1.80 meters (6.2 to 6.3 feet). Some were even taller. The average age of the deceased was believed to be only 30 years old.

The large number of children’s graves discovered was also of great interest. Each of the children was missing their feet from the ankle downward. It is believed that this ritual was related to the conviction that the children had not yet fulfilled their lives in this world, and they might possibly try to come back if their feet were not removed.

The adult skeletons also provided extensive insight into the lives of these people. Some were found with leg bone formations typical of those who extensively ride horses.  Others had various bone injuries, perhaps from being thrown off horses. Some showed indications that the healing process was not completed at the time of death, or was not a normal healing process.

Jewelry was also found with this earlier group of people. Items such as turned bronze neck rings, a large quantity of simple earrings, bronze bracelets, and various other items of bronze jewelry were unearthed. Bronze jewelry for the hair was discovered along with bead jewelry made from glass and/or stones. Spinnwirtel was also found beneath the bodies.

Special acknowledgment is due to the police officials of Pamhagen. Their expertise in securing these graves during the several days that the excavations took place insured that nothing was tampered with or damaged at the site.

The question then must be asked: What people is this that which interred its dead here?

Since there is a written history of this area from the Eleventh Century, it is appropriate to consult those historical documents regarding the controversial border area between the Ostmark of Babenberger and Hungary before it was established.

The graves differ unequivocally and significantly  from those burial-places of the Magyars. Also, until now there were no clues about the Slavs being here. Since there are similar findings in nearby areas, it opens the possibility that these people were members of an Asian tribe placed by the Magyars. These tribesmen worked as a sort of border-protection service.  From a report of the writer Belas III (1173-1196) we know that a number of these people at Petschenegen were taken about 1068 at Belgrade of the Oedenburger Count Ian. Presumably then, it was these people, which came as border-guards to the present-day district Neusiedl by the lake. It was not long, apparently, before they proved their unreliability. There was an argument about who should have the throne between King Salamon and the dukes. Salamon was defeated and massacred.

For the archaeologist, then, the question is whether the burial grounds are related to King Salamon and the Petschenegens, and whether this was the time when the border guard service of these tribes came to an end. It is noteworthy that none of the skeletons were found buried in a wooden casket. Some were found buried simply on a wooden board, while others were simply covered with a wooden board. Burials indicate that there was no single large population in the area of Landhuebel.

In the course of the dig, a local farmer came forward and told of finding a molded stone in his field.  It is assumed that some places were once much dryer and were used as  population centers. In order not to reduce the few habitable areas where living was possible, they decided to use the small hills in the uninhabitable marshy areas as burial grounds. A small settlement older than the burials was found on some hills. There were open hearths, animal bones, ceramic pots, and other relics of habitation. Despite careful searching, however, no evidence of houses or foundations could be found.

The excavations in the so-called Petschenegengraeberfeld east of Wallern depicts for us the drama and evidence of human life and death more than eight centuries back in history. Hopefully, many of the unresolved questions will be answered as a result of more detailed examinations and explorations in the future.

-Original record of the chronicler Josef Hofstaedter

Translation and editing from the German by Norman John Pihale, Northfield, Minnesota, USA

Many thanks to Norman Pihale for translating!
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