In recent years, archaeologists have made significant strides in uncovering and understanding the complexities of early medieval cult practices. One of the latest and most exciting discoveries is that of a previously unknown cult site at Hezingen in the eastern Netherlands. Led by Dr. Jan-Willem de Kort and his team, this discovery sheds light on the religious practices of the Germanic-Nordic groups during a time of profound cultural transition. The findings were published in the journal Medieval Archaeology, offering fresh perspectives on pre-Christian rituals in a region often overshadowed by better-understood sites in the Nordic world.
The Significance of Cult Sites in Early Medieval Europe
Cult sites are central to understanding the religious and social practices of pre-Christian societies. These sites reveal not only how rituals were performed but also how religious beliefs were deeply intertwined with the political and social structures of the time. Well-excavated cult sites in regions like Scandinavia, Germany, and Britain have provided a wealth of information about early European paganism. However, the Netherlands, northern Germany, and parts of Britain are known to have fewer preserved and comprehensively studied cult sites. This makes the Hezingen discovery particularly significant, offering a rare glimpse into the early medieval period in this part of Europe.
The Challenge of Understanding Pre-Christian Rituals
Historically, much of our understanding of pre-Christian cults comes from studies of sites in the Nordic countries. From these, we have learned about the complex religious practices of the Norse and other groups that lived in these regions. However, such an approach cannot be easily applied to the entire Germanic-Nordic world. The peoples living in the Netherlands and surrounding areas had their own unique belief systems, which likely evolved separately from those of their Nordic neighbors. The variations in religious practices across time and space make it essential for scholars to study each region independently, and the discovery of Hezingen offers a rare opportunity to do just that.
The Hezingen Excavation
The Hezingen site was discovered in 2020 and 2021, following the efforts of metal detectorists who uncovered a number of valuable coins. Recognizing the significance of the find, Dr. de Kort and his colleagues began an excavation of the site, which proved to be an invaluable opportunity for archaeological research. As Dr. de Kort explains, the excavation was driven not only by the exciting discovery of these artifacts but also by an urgent need to study the site before modern development threatened its preservation. The land was at risk of being disturbed due to an upcoming nature development project, which would involve removing the topsoil to encourage the return of original vegetation, such as heathland. This posed a significant threat to the site, and thus the team worked swiftly to uncover as much as possible before it was too late.
Unveiling the Site’s Layout
What the excavation team discovered at Hezingen was a large, circular structure made of wooden posts, enclosing an oddly shaped building. This configuration was unlike many previously discovered cult sites, and its unique features immediately captured the researchers’ attention. In addition to the wooden posts, the team uncovered evidence of a possible Herrenhof—a magnate’s residence—likely constructed during the 6th century. The presence of a large, well-planned structure indicates that Hezingen was not merely a small, local cult site but rather an important religious and possibly political center.
The site was divided into three distinct areas, each with its own set of findings:
- Site 1: This area contained a single gold coin, suggesting that it may have been an offering or a site of special significance.
- Site 2: This site yielded 24 fragmented and complete tremisses (gold coins), along with a gold pendant and a silver earring. The large number of coins and the variety of artifacts indicate that this was an important and possibly wealth-driven location within the cult site.
- Site 3: This area contained additional tremisses and a small pendant, adding to the growing evidence of the site’s role as a center for valuable offerings.
These artifacts—particularly the gold and silver items—are indicative of a high-status group, likely the regional elites. It seems that the people who used the Hezingen cult site were not just common worshippers but were part of the elite class, using valuable objects to demonstrate their religious and political influence.
Seasonal Rituals and Astronomical Alignments
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Hezingen site is its alignment with the equinoxes. Dr. de Kort and his team discovered that the four rows of wooden posts were precisely oriented along an east-west axis. This alignment suggests that the site was used during key seasonal events, such as the spring and autumn equinoxes. According to Dr. de Kort, the high elevation of the site allowed the sun to rise exactly in the east during the spring equinox, a phenomenon that could be easily verified using modern solar panel software.
This seasonal alignment implies that Hezingen was likely used for rituals tied to the agricultural calendar, especially those associated with sowing and harvests. The equinoxes, marking the balance of day and night, would have been an appropriate time for communities to offer thanks and seek blessings from the gods. While we cannot know for certain which gods were honored at Hezingen, texts from the medieval missionary period mention that local pagans offered rituals to their gods to ensure good harvests. These offerings, sometimes referred to as diobolgeldæ or “devil’s money,” were thought to be part of the pagan religious practices that missionaries sought to eliminate as part of their Christianizing efforts.
The Role of Elites in Religious Practices
The artifacts discovered at Hezingen provide further evidence that the cult site was likely used by the region’s elite. Dr. de Kort suggests that the local elites were probably the primary users of the site, using valuable items like gold and silver coins to emphasize their religious-political power and social status. These objects would have been highly prized and, as such, made for significant offerings to the gods. The contrast between these elite offerings and those from other cult sites—where personal, less valuable offerings were more common—helps reinforce the idea that Hezingen was a site for political and religious elites.
Dr. de Kort notes, “The finds at the other cult sites are probably more the result of personal offerings and thus less precious,” highlighting the clear distinction between sites used by the general population and those used by the elite class.
The Role of Hezingen in the Christianization of the Region
The Hezingen site is of particular interest to scholars studying the Christianization of the Dutch region. The area was gradually transitioning from paganism to Christianity during the late 7th and early 8th centuries, and the site’s abandonment during this period provides key insights into this transition. Dr. de Kort explains that missionaries, such as Plechelmus and Lebuinus, were active in the region around 760, and the first churches were consecrated during this time. Hezingen was likely abandoned shortly before the widespread Christianization of the region, which suggests that local elites may have been among the first to adopt Christianity. As these elites converted, the pagan rituals at Hezingen would have lost their significance, leading to the eventual abandonment of the site.
Conclusion: Hezingen’s Legacy
The discovery of the Hezingen cult site is a crucial step in understanding the cultural and religious transition from paganism to Christianity in the early medieval Netherlands. The site offers invaluable insights into the ritual practices of the time, especially those tied to the agricultural cycle and the religious-political roles of the local elite. With its astronomical alignments, the wealth of offerings, and its connection to the broader process of Christianization, Hezingen serves as a rare window into a transformative period in European history. As research continues, the findings at Hezingen will undoubtedly help refine our understanding of early medieval beliefs, rituals, and the complex interactions between local traditions and the spread of Christianity.
Jan-Willem De Kort et al, Diobolgeldæ (The Devil’s Money): The Early-Medieval Cult Site of Hezingen, The Netherlands, Medieval Archaeology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00766097.2024.2419198.