German archaeologists uncover more parts of medieval castle complex
An excavation participant uncovers a tomb from the Carolingian period on the grounds of the Royal Palatinate of Helfta. Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of outer castle fortifications, pit houses and a later castle in Germany at the site of a former medieval imperial palace in the eastern town of Helfta, near Eisleben. Jan Woitas/dpa

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of outer castle fortifications, pit houses and a later castle in Germany at the site of a former medieval imperial palace in the eastern town of Helfta, near Eisleben. "In the two outer castles of the fortified imperial palace, there was evidence of dense settlement with numerous pit houses," project leader Felix Biermann with the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology told dpa at the conclusion of this year's excavations. "This is an important insight into the infrastructure of the imperial palace and the areas wh...