Several Hanseatic buildings burned down during the 1955 fire and in the wake of this great loss of Bergen's cultural heritage archaeologists seized the opportunity to study the site where the buildings had stood, between Bryggen and Mariakirken. The vestiges of the oldest group of houses (12C) were discovered during the digs, along with valuable information about life in Bergen during the Middle Ages. A modern museum stands around the vestiges, which are the main exhibits.