Sensational finds in Delbrück: Evidence of Roman mercenaries discovered!

Sensational finds in Delbrück: Evidence of Roman mercenaries discovered!

Archeology in Germany never stops: in Delbrück-Bentfeld, not far from Paderborn, archaeologists have made a remarkable find. The excavations, which began in November 2024, have brought to light a veritable hodgepodge of archaeological findings. Over 400 finds have been documented so far, including traces of houses, two pit houses, post pits and wells. A cremation grave that dates back to the 4th or 5th century and houses a Roman military belt buckle is particularly eye-catching. This discovery clearly indicates a historical connection between the Germanic settlers and Roman culture, as Ruhr24 reports.

The cremation grave, which is considered to be the first burial of its kind in East Westphalia with proven parts of a Roman military belt, could indicate the remains of a Germanic mercenary in the Roman military. A Roman knife was also discovered in the immediate vicinity of the excavation site in the spring of 2025, further supporting the Roman presence in the region.

Finds from the migration period

Particularly interesting is a well-preserved well structure that was discovered shortly before the excavations were completed. With a diameter of over one meter and made from three tree trunk parts, it provides exciting insights into the way of life back then. In the well tube, the researchers found organic materials such as wood, leather and even an insect wing. Some evidence suggests that the well may also have been used as a cremation site, as burnt bones and glass beads were discovered in the charcoal layer, which could be interpreted as burial offerings.

The finds are important not only for the region itself, but also for the overarching history of the Roman province of Lower Germania. The Rhine once stretched for around 400 kilometers and formed the border of this province, which developed over the centuries. The remains of Roman military camps and civilian settlements along the Lower Germanic Limes are fascinating evidence of a bygone era. These sites, including those in Cologne, are valued as part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Lower Germanic Limes”, as the NRW Foundation explains.

The legacy of the Limes

Why is the Lower Germanic Limes so important? It represents the first linear border of Rome and stretches from Katwijk aan Zee in the Netherlands to Bad Hönningen-Rheinbrohl in Germany. This border developed over 450 years and includes numerous archaeological sites and offers insights into life on the border. The region is known for its excellent preservation conditions for organic materials, which allows valuable information to be gained about the vegetation, landscape and culture of the people of that time.

If you look at history, it becomes clear that the Lower Germanic Limes was not only a geographical border, but also a place of cultural exchange. Emperor Augustus already had ambitions to extend the Roman borders to the Elbe, but this was thwarted by the defeat against Arminius in 9 AD. The history of the Limes shows how dynamic and complex the relationships between Romans and Germanic peoples were, even if they were often characterized by conflict, as the Lower Germanic Limes website makes clear.

The new discoveries in Delbrück not only enrich the history of the region, but also lay another building block in the big picture of Roman history in Germany. The scientists still have a lot of work to do to shed light on all facets of these exciting finds and to find out more about the way people lived during this time. The end result is not only an understanding of the past, but also a connection to the present and future that shows where we come from.