New exhibition in the mining museum: iron finds from Chiemgau!

New exhibition in the mining museum: iron finds from Chiemgau!

The Achthal Mining Museum in Teisendorf is opening a new permanent exhibition that focuses on rural life in Chiemgau in the 17th century. This exhibition, which is now being presented, offers insights into a time that was strongly influenced by the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).

As part of the exhibition, 34 iron finds are shown that date from the Thirty Years' War. These finds were discovered in 1994 in two depots on the Emperbichl near Raiten in the municipality of Schleching. The Munich State Archaeological Collection has made the finds available on permanent loan. The curator Matthias Will handed the items over to the board of the mining museum's support association.

Exhibits and their meaning

The exhibits are presented in a climate-controlled display case to prevent rusting. Items shown include chains, hooks, nails, belt buckles, hammer, anvil, stirrup, carpenter's ax and whetstone. A master's thesis by Christine König shows that around 80% of the finds come from the first half of the 17th century.

Although the region was spared from major military conflicts, attacks still occurred. Iron, a valuable raw material, was hidden by the owners to protect it from looters. The exhibition shows that the finds provide valuable insights into the life of a wealthy court in Chiemgau. Horseshoes and nails in particular have cultural meanings and traditions. The nailsmiths in the Raschenberg nursing court worked with iron from the Achthal, which was also used for export.

The Thirty Years' War, which lasted from 1618 to 1648, began as a religious war and ended as a territorial war. The conflict concerned hegemony in the Holy Roman Empire and Europe. The most important players included the Habsburgs, France, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. The war led to massive devastation and famine that depopulated entire areas, such as parts of southern Germany, where only a third of the population survived. The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 finally ended the conflicts and re-established the balance of power between the emperor and the imperial estates Wikipedia reported.

The new permanent exhibition in the Achthal Mining Museum is not only a vital presentation of regional history, but also an important reference to the far-reaching effects of the Thirty Years' War.

– Submitted by West-East media