Medieval cantor's seal stamp found on Rhine bank in Basel

"Repair works on the Rhine riverbank wall in Basel, Switzerland, have uncovered a seal stamp that belonged to the late 13th century cantor of Basel cathedral. The seal was discovered last month during underwater archaeological excavations at the foot of the Pfalz, the viewing terrace overlooking the Rhine behind the Munster Cathedral. Pfalz is derived from the Latin word for palace and the terrace is named after the bishop's palace which used to be next to it."

"The pointed oval seal die is made of brass and is in excellent condition. It depicts a man in ecclesiastical robes standing at a lectern holding a large book. A cantor was a church's choir master who selected the music, led the chants during mass and sang the solo parts. He also played an important administrative role as a manager of the liturgical library, who was in charge of updating the cathedral's records (deaths, charters, annals, etc.)."

"Surrounding the image on the edges of the seal is the inscription ECCE(LESIA).BASILIEN(SIS) + S(IGILLVM) RVDOLFI.CANTORI, meaning Cathedral of Basel, Seal of Rudolph Cantor. Surviving records identify the seal owner as cathedral cantor Rudolf Kraft who lived at what is now Augustinergasse 8 in Basel between 1296 and 1305, literally a minute's walk from the Pfalz."

A brass, pointed oval seal die belonging to a late 13th-century cathedral cantor was recovered during riverbank renovation and underwater archaeological work at the Pfalz in Basel. The seal shows a robed man at a lectern holding a large book and carries the inscription identifying it as the seal of Rudolf Cantor. Surviving records name cathedral cantor Rudolf Kraft, who lived near the Pfalz between 1296 and 1305. The renovation has exposed remains spanning 2,000 years of urban history, and archaeologists are systematically examining excavated mud with metal detectors and underwater survey techniques.

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