Archaeologists discover papal bull and medieval road in downtown Tallinn

Archaeologists excavating behind the Eesti Projekt building on Rävala Boulevard in central Tallinn have made a remarkable discovery: a 14th-century papal seal, known as a bull, as well as traces of a medieval road.

Mihkel Tammet, an archaeologist with Muinasprojekt Ltd, explained that a bull is a lead seal. According to him, the find fits well with other archaeological discoveries at the site. Historian Ivar Leimus identified the seal as belonging to Pope Clement V. He noted that the bull would have been attached to a papal letter that was most likely sent to Tallinn, but the letter itself has not survived, so the recipient remains unknown.

Leimus stated that only three papal bullae were previously known in Estonia, all attached to documents held in the Tallinn City Archives. This is the first archaeological discovery of a papal bull in Estonia, bringing the total to four. For comparison, around 24 bullae have been found in London, only three in Sweden, and just one in Norway. Leimus emphasized that for a location on the edge of medieval Europe, this is a rare find.

The excavation also revealed the remains of a medieval road beneath what is now a courtyard in the city centre. Tammet said the road may have connected neighborhoods along the Härjapea River with Tallinn's Old Town. The site has also yielded a series of wells: two discovered in 2025, and a third this year. Based on its structure, the latest well dates from the 14th century. Boundaries of former land plots were marked by post-supported wattle fences, with ditches and wells along property lines.

Ragnar Nurk, an archaeologist with the Tallinn Urban Planning Department, believes the road is part of a route that later disappeared, likely connecting Tartu Road with Väike-Karja Street. Because no city gate was built at the end of Väike-Karja Street, the road gradually lost its importance. Tammet added that the road contains several layers of fill, including medieval bricks and roof tiles, indicating use until the end of the Middle Ages. By the Livonian War, it had already fallen out of use, and by the 15th century soil layers began accumulating. He concluded that while it cannot be called Maakri Street, it can certainly be regarded as a predecessor of today's Maakri Street.