Remnants of an ancient Roman society found buried in the Alps

The ‘archaeological sensation’ houses a treasure trove of objects that likely belonged to the region’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.
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

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For the first time in almost a century, a team of archaeologists have discovered stone walls dating back to the Roman Empire in Zug, Switzerland. The Alpine state in the central portion of the country is known for hockey, beautiful scenery, and some exciting archaeological finds. In a translated press release, the Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archeology called the finding an “archaeological sensation” for the region that could offer more insight into Roman activity in central Switzerland.

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While excavating a gravel pit in the city of Äbnetwald, a team uncovered the 2,000-year-old Roman walls that possibly once protected a building complex. They have also found some iron nails, pieces of plaster wall, gold fragments possibly from jewelry, millstones, glassware, crockery, bowls, and ceramic jugs called amphorae.

Archaeologists also found evidence that some elite people lived at the site, including imported Roman tableware called terra sigillata and some detailed glass vessels. During this time, amphorae jars typically held fish sauce, wine, or olive oil and provide some evidence that the Romans in the region traded with Mediterranean countries. 

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
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

According to the team, it is not surprising that this elevated position near the city of Äbnetwald was selected as the location for their buildings. It offered an excellent overview of the surrounding landscape. A gravel hill nearby was already inhabited several thousand years before the Romans came, indicating that it was already prime real estate.  

The walls extended to at least 5,300 square feet and it is still unclear how the site was used. According to Christa Ebnöther, a professor of archeology of the Roman provinces at the University of Bern, it could have been a villa that had a view of a temple building.

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“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,” said Ebnöther.

The team also found multiple bronze and copper coins. A silver denarius minted by Julius Caesar from around the First Century BCE with an elephant trampling on either a snake or a dragon etched into it was found amongst them. 

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 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.

Previously, archaeologists have uncovered other valuable finds in this area, such as a number of coins from the ancient Celts, the remains of a settlement dating to the middle of the Bronze age, and evidence of burials from the late Bronze age

On Saturday, September 2nd, the general public is invited to tour the excavation and learn more about the Romans who lived in pre-Alpine Central Switzerland.  

 

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