 The "Chronicon" of Thietmar of Merseburg, written 1012–1018, said that it was originally displayed above Gero's grave; though no one is now sure where that was located in the old church, most scholars place it somewhere on the central axis of the nave, in which case it may have been at the chancel arch, the usual location of later roods or large crucifixes.It has long been celebrated and visited by pilgrims.The old cathedral only underwent minor changes until the 13th century.