City History Thursdays in Duisburg: Tracing the Early Settlement Landscape
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When Duisburg Became a Settlement Landscape of the Early Middle Ages
How did the present-day Duisburg area develop from Late Antiquity until the end of the Carolingian period? This lecture, as part of the City History Thursdays series, introduces an era in which settlement structures, trade routes, and political centers underwent significant changes.
Archaeology between the Rhine, Trade, and Power
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, archaeologist Johannes Reller will open new perspectives on Duisburg's early city history. The focus will be on the development of the settlement landscape, the emergence of central places, and the significance of the Rhine as a transport and trade route.
Reller incorporates nearly 300 selected archaeological measures from the past 200 years as well as new scientific dating and the evaluation of finds and features. This creates a multifaceted picture of early medieval Duisburg.
Traces of Elites and Early Long-Distance Trade
The lecture will highlight the traces of social elites, early trade contacts, and the changes in burial customs. The chronological span extends from Late Antiquity through the Merovingian period to the founding of palaces at the end of the Carolingian period.
The event combines scientific expertise with illustrative city history. For historically interested visitors, it provides a concentrated event experience that links archaeological research, regional history, and the development of Duisburg.
Lecture Series at the Duisburg City Archive
The City History Thursdays series is organized by the Duisburg City Archive in cooperation with the Mercator Society. Until February, nine thematically different lectures on Duisburg’s city history are on the agenda. As the second largest municipal archive in North Rhine-Westphalia, the city archive focuses primarily on the documentation and research of city history.
The lecture will begin at 18:15 and last until approximately 19:30. The event takes place in the DenkStätte in the building of the city archive at Karmelplatz. Participation is free of charge, and registration is not required. Due to a limited number of participants of a maximum of 60 people, early arrival is recommended.
Conclusion: Rediscovering Duisburg's Early History
Visitors can look forward to an informed evening with archaeological insights, historical connections, and exciting glimpses into the origins of the Duisburg settlement landscape. Those who want to experience the city's development from a new perspective should attend this lecture live at the Duisburg City Archive.
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