Die Stadtwüstung Nienover im Solling

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This second volume focuses on Nienover in the Northeim district, one of Central Europe's largest unbuilt deserted towns [vol. 1 = MAN 39]. From 1993 to 2007, extensive excavations were conducted, placing the findings within the context of the medieval cultural landscape. The volume is organized into chapters discussing the deserted city, castle, and outer defenses based on field research, along with the forms, processes, and causes of city desertion. The desertion of Nienover is framed not as an isolated crisis but as a byproduct of an optimization process and territorial conflicts with unclear power dynamics. The complexities of desertion processes are highlighted, revealing total, partial, functional, and status-related desertions across old and new cities, suburbs, and predecessor towns. The primary causes include the shifting of towns and competition among them, with small towns being particularly vulnerable to desertion. Before the 15th century, when cities became increasingly isolated from their surroundings due to advancements in weaponry, many cities and their suburbs formed extensive urban landscapes.