Archaeological survey on Joseph-Carlebach-Platz
Start of excavations
From September 4, 2023 to January 4, 2024, the Archaeological Museum Hamburg, led by its director Prof. Dr. Rainer-Maria Weiß, is carrying out an archaeological survey on Joseph-Carlebach-Platz on behalf of the Senate Chancellery.
The aim is to obtain knowledge about the state of preservation of the remnants of the Bornplatz Synagogue, which was devastated in 1938 during the Reichspogrom Night and forcibly demolished in 1939.
This is a necessary step in the project to rebuild the Bornplatz Synagogue, as the findings gained will be incorporated into the architectural competition process, which is expected to start this year.
Peter Tschentscher, Hamburg's 1st Mayor:
“The reconstruction of the Bornplatz Synagogue is an important project to strengthen Jewish life in Hamburg. Reconstruction must be well planned and implemented. Following the positive outcome of the feasibility study, it is now time for the archaeological investigation of the soil. This is intended to provide information about the remains of the foundations of the former synagogue and its condition. These are to be incorporated into the further urban planning and architectural process, which will create a new central location for Jewish life and culture in Hamburg. ”
An important step in preparation is the preliminary archaeological investigation on Joseph-Carlebach-Platz, which is now beginning.
This is carried out by Prof. Dr. Rainer-Maria Weiß, state archaeologist and director of the Archaeological Museum Hamburg, and his scientific team. The excavation results will be incorporated directly into the tasks of the competition process.
The aim is to incorporate the remains of the foundations of the Bornplatz Synagogue that are still in the ground in the designs of the competition. During the archaeological investigation, four excavation sites are examined, which are based on the well-known floor plans of the Bornplatz Synagogue. That on
Floor mosaic by Margrit Kahl on Joseph-Carlebach-Platz, which is reminiscent of the Bornplatz Synagogue, will be temporarily removed in the area of the exploratory cuts, stored and completely restored at the end of the preliminary investigation.
Information on construction times and costs of rebuilding the Bornplatz Synagogue can only be provided after the architectural competition has been held.
[from the Senate Chancellery's press release dated 31.8.2023]