Across the Rhine into the world

Mass-produced items such as these round brooches, which are elaborate clothing fasteners, were found in abundance during the construction work on the Mainz Hilton Hotel in 1981/2. This is because there was a merchants' and craftsmen's quarter directly on the Rhine along the city wall. Merchants' and craftsmen's quarter, with boat moorings on the Rhine side and sales and storage rooms on the city side. This merchants' quarter was one of the most important Central and Northern European settlement sites, especially in the period between 800 and 1000.

They provide evidence of a lively trade and exchange that reached as far as northern Germany, Scandinavia and the Baltic region, as well as the Orient. Traders from near and far came to Mainz from all over the world. The Rhine was one of the most important trade routes in the whole of Europe.