Ground-plan of excavations
Since 1875, when scientists first searched there for its foundations, the location of Werla was assumed to be atop the 15 meter high river bank at the bend in the Oker River near Schladen. Methodical excavations were undertaken from 1934 until 1939 (Hermann Schroller) and again from 1957 till 1963. The exposed, uniquely well-preserved early medieval heating was unfortunately destroyed during the last world war. Today, deep ploughing could further disturb the remaining uninvestigated outer baileys. In 1967 Carl Seebach documented the buildings of the inner bailey. Edgar Ring documented the ceramic finds in 1990. Today most artifacts are displayed at the museum in Wolfenbüttel.

Not all parts of the inner ward are equally preserved or examined. The site plan shows many complete foundations or parts of foundations and some earth and timber constructions, which are not presented here. Incomplete masonry is shown with beveled edges. Only three doorsteps have been located and the well has not yet been found. The buildings within the bailey were oriented northward or toward the East. All were rectangular and single storeyed.

The two most important periods of construction are coloured in blue or violet, respectively. According to their disposition, most of the buildings belong to the second period although the construction scarcely differs from the original. The later additions are discernible at the eastern rampart and around the largest house. Reconstruction and functions of the buildings have been derived from comparisons with similar structures elsewhere and from documented sources. The most important buildings are identified with the same colours as used on the main page and will be further explained in pages of their own.

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