Roman society artifacts discovered buried in the Alps
The "archaeological sensation" is home to a wealth of items that were probably possessed by the area's elite.
Part of the exposed Roman walls with the room layout already recognizable. The remains of the floor construction are still preserved in the foreground of the picture. ADA Zug/David Jecker
In Zug, Switzerland, a group of archaeologists have unearthed Roman-era stone walls for the first time in almost a century. The Alpine state in the middle of the nation is well-known for hockey, stunning landscape, and some fascinating ancient discoveries. The discovery was referred to as a "archaeological sensation" for the area by the Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology in a translated press release, and it may provide additional information about Roman involvement in central Switzerland.
A team of archaeologists discovered the 2,000-year-old Roman walls that may have once surrounded a building complex in the city of Äbnetwald while excavating a gravel pit. Additionally, they have discovered some iron nails, plaster wall fragments, gold pieces that may have come from jewelry, millstones, glassware, crockery, bowls, and ceramic jugs known as amphorae.
Archaeologists also discovered elaborate glass dishes and imported terra sigillata tableware, which are signs that some aristocratic individuals formerly resided at the location. Amphorae jars from this period, which often contained fish sauce, wine, or olive oil, offer some proof that the Romans in the area traded with Mediterranean nations.
Small selection of Roman finds (from top left to bottom right): An amphora base, the shard of a mortar, the rim of a small bowl of Roman tableware with a red coating (terra sigillata), four coins in as-found condition, one of which was silver from Julius Caesar, Fragment of a gold object, pieces of a square bottle and a blue glass ribbed bowl. CREDIT: ADA Zug/Res Eichenberger
The site of their buildings being chosen for this elevated area close to the city of Äbnetwald is not surprising, the team claims. It provided a wonderful overview of the surroundings. Before the Romans arrived, a neighboring gravel hill was occupied for several thousand years, proving it to be great real estate.
It is currently unknown what was done with the location, but the walls covered an area of at least 5,300 square feet. It might have been a villa with a view of a temple structure, according to Christa Ebnöther, a professor of archeology of the Roman provinces at the University of Bern.
“We were also amazed that the top bricks were even visible above ground. Only a few structural relics of this kind from the Roman period are known in the pre-Alpine region—in contrast to other regions. What is also astounding is the relatively good preservation of the remains,” mentioned Ebnöther.
In addition to copper and bronze coins, a silver coin (denarius) of Julius Caesar from the 1st century BCe was also found.The face of the coin shows an elephant trampling on a dragon or snake. CREDIT: ADA Zug/Res Eichenberger.
In addition, the crew discovered several bronze and copper coins. Among them was a silver denarius struck by Julius Caesar in the first century BCE that was inscribed with an elephant trampling on either a snake or a dragon.
Archaeologists had already discovered other priceless discoveries in this region, including a number of old Celt coins, the ruins of a settlement from the middle of the Bronze Age, and proof of graves from the late Bronze Age.
The general public is welcome to visit the dig on Saturday, September 2, 2023, and discover more about the Romans who formerly resided in pre-Alpine Central Switzerland.