A unique medieval seal found in the Rhine: what the artifact revealed.

According to ТСН: Planned works on the bottom of the Rhine near the Pfalz terrace in Basel brought archaeologists an unexpected find: a well-preserved seal from the office of Basel Cathedral's cantor Rudolf Kraft, who served in the late 13th to early 14th century. Ancient Roman coins and remnants of 19th-century river infrastructure were found nearby.

The find and its significance

The seal, which has a diameter of almost 5 centimeters, was discovered during a survey of the riverbed. The brass artifact clearly shows the inscription 'ECCELESIA BASILIENSIS – SIGILLUM RUDOLFI CANTORI', as well as the personal mark of Rudolf Kraft, who held the position of cantor at Basel Cathedral from 1296 to 1305. In the medieval church hierarchy, the cantor was an important figure responsible for liturgical singing, training the clergy, and administrative matters of the cathedral.

Experts note that finding such a well-preserved seal in water is a great rarity. This artifact will help to deepen the understanding of the history of the cathedral chapter and contains valuable information about the church administration of Basel more than 700 years ago.

Other archaeological finds

During the same works, archaeologists also stumbled upon several Roman coins, including a silver siliqua of Emperor Gratian, minted in the late 4th century. Similar finds had occurred at this site earlier: during the winter water reduction in 1932-1933, over five hundred Roman coins and dozens of medieval items were found here.

Researchers also found remnants of the 19th-century infrastructure: fragments of the first municipal open-air bathing complex Pfalzbadhüsl, opened in 1831, and a metal pile shoe that supported structures above water. These findings indicate how the role of the river has changed over the centuries – from a trade route to a recreational area for residents.

Technologies for research

To work in challenging underwater conditions, the team used modern technologies such as cameras, drones, and metal detectors. This made it possible to safely lift fragile artifacts.

The collected objects – from Roman coins to the cantor's seal and remains of the first municipal bath – show how rich in history one stretch of riverbed can be. Archaeologists emphasize that the area under the Pfalz remains one of the most valuable underwater archaeological sites in Switzerland.

Recently, a group of scientists uncovered the mystery of the mysterious pits found near Stonehenge – the most famous megalithic structure in the UK. These investigations demonstrate how important archaeological research can be for understanding our past and the development of civilizations.