BERLIN // German archaeologists say the history of Martin Luther, the 16th-century monk who transformed western civilisation by triggering the Protestant Reformation, will have to be rewritten after they discovered evidence in his family's household rubbish that refutes his claim to have grown up in poverty.
The rubbish, located in a pit during building work in the house where he spent his childhood, contains expensive brass fixtures as well as kitchen waste that show Luther came from a wealthy family, said the archaeologist Björn Schlenker, the curator of a new exhibition of artefacts found at various sites where Luther lived.
"The discarded animal bones we analysed showed that the family ate types of food that were expensive at the time such as the tender meat of young pigs and geese, as well as a wide variety of fish, such as herring and cod. It all amounts to clear evidence that Luther's family wasn't poor," Mr Schlenker said.
Luther's own claim to have come from a humble background may have been intended to reinforce his standing as he challenged the authority of the pope and fought corruption in the church, historians say. Historical records say the church reformer who lived from 1483 to 1546 claimed his father, Hans Luder, was a lowly miner and that his mother "had to carry all her wood home on her back. That is how they brought us up", Luther is on record as having said in a conversation with students and colleagues. "They suffered hardship such as the world today would not want to suffer."
Little had been known about Luther's everyday private life before the finds were made at excavations by the State Heritage Office of the state of Saxony-Anhalt in eastern Germany at Luther's birth place in Eisleben, his parental home at Mansfeld and his family estate in Wittenberg over the past five years.
The objects retrieved, which also show his wealth in later life, went on display at the Museum of Prehistory in the eastern city of Halle this month. They include toys such as marbles, skittles made of cow bone and part of a crossbow Luther is believed to have played with as a child, and vessels for medicines that indicate he suffered from digestive problems in old age.
The exhibition has won praise from critics and drawn large crowds of visitors in recent weeks.
"In a certain way, this brilliantly devised presentation delivers something akin to a sublimely ironic commentary on this figure who had already been elevated into the higher spheres of a sacrosanct timelessness while he was alive," wrote Süddeutsche Zeitung, a leading newspaper.
The rubbish tip, in a cavern next to the house in Mansfeld where Luther lived until he was 14, was filled with two decades of kitchen waste from the Luther household. Among thousands of animal bones, Mr Schlenker and his team found 300 silver coins believed to have been thrown away along with a host of other household items after two of Luther's brothers died of plague in 1505.
"The best explanation is that everything the brothers had come into contact with was burned and thrown away," said Mr Schlenker.
He said the excavations in Mansfeld had shown the building was part of a far bigger estate than previously thought. Fresh research had also shown that the father did not just run copper mines and smelters but owned 80 hectares of land, had a farming business and even lent money to the local lord at five per cent interest.
Spectacular finds were also made at Luther's house in Wittenberg, where he lived with his wife and six children and famously nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg castle church door in 1517 criticising the papal practice of selling indulgences that freed Christians of their sins.
That act is widely credited with having triggered the Protestant Reformation, the split in the Christian church between Catholics and Protestants. Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church, declared an outcast and went into hiding. He later returned to Wittenberg.
Excavations around a part-demolished tower adjoining the Wittenberg estate revealed it to have been the site of Luther's study where he devised his ground-breaking ideas on church reform.
The basement of the tower was found to contain Luther's lavatory, still intact, and countless discarded objects were unearthed in a tip nearby, providing fresh insights into Luther's life as an adult.
The expensive glasses and exotic Venetian and Ottoman crockery betrayed an opulent lifestyle that was on a par with that of the aristocracy of the day. It is borne out by his voracious appetite - when Luther died aged 62, he weighed 150 kilograms.
Colourful glazed tiles were found that belonged to a sumptuous tiled stove that, intriguingly, was identical to a stove owned by Cardinal Albrecht of Brandenburg, one of Luther's most vociferous opponents.
The Wittenberg find reveals that Luther worked in a heated room with a view of the Elbe River. He would spend his evenings writing by the light of lamps filled with animal fat. The archaeologists found the bindings of parchment books, special knives to sharpen goose quills, as well as writing sets containing sand, ink and styluses.
It seems astounding that such a rich trove of archaeological evidence on the life of a German national hero who had such impact on the course of European history has only been found now, half a millennium later.
Part of the reason is that archaeology has only recently focused on the Middle Ages, said Mr Schlenker. In western Germany, it has only been going on for the past quarter of a century, and in eastern Germany, where Luther spent his life, there had been virtually no archaeological excavation during communist times.
German unification in 1990 prompted fresh research into historical sites that had been locked away behind the Iron Curtain.
But Mr Schlenker said he was surprised at the lack of interest shown so far by Protestant theologians in the findings that cast the father of their church in a new light.
"Theologians and church historians appear to have no interest in finding out about Luther's wealthy background. The idea that he was the son of a poor man suited them well," Mr Schlenker said. "When I started digging in Mansfeld five years ago I thought surely the Protestants will start coming up to me soon, but so far they haven't, there's been zero interest.
"It was surprising, not even the local priest in Mansfeld bothered to take a look at what we were up to."
Mr Schlenker said he hoped the findings would eventually prompt church theologians and historians to sift through historical records and re-examine the documentary evidence about Luther's childhood. Much comes from accounts of Luther's statements written down by students.
"Even though there's not much interest from the church so far, I think that will change with all the media coverage we've been getting and with the popularity of the exhibition. We had 3,000 people on the day after the opening," Mr Schlenker said.
dcrossland@thenational.ae
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 395bhp
Torque: 420Nm
Price: from Dh321,200
On sale: now
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Five films to watch
Castle in the Sky (1986)
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Only Yesterday (1991)
Pom Poki (1994)
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
New Zealand 15 British & Irish Lions 15
New Zealand 15
Tries: Laumape, J Barrett
Conversions: B Barrett
Penalties: B Barrett
British & Irish Lions 15
Penalties: Farrell (4), Daly
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Company%20profile
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now