Archaeological sensations: Roman districts discovered in Mainz

Archaeological sensations: Roman districts discovered in Mainz

An exciting discovery has kept the archaeologists in suspense in Mainz in the past few weeks. Anthropological finds have appeared in a building pit that is located on the Oberen Numberbacher Straße "Am Römerlager" that indicate an important Roman suburb. During the work for a new research center, which was launched by the founders of Biontech, the remains of a civil city were discovered that grouped around 100 and 400 AD for the Roman Legion camp.

On Monday, the spectacular finds were presented by the responsible archaeologists. In addition to the confirmation of numerous bricks with legion stamps and an impressive collection of coins, a particularly important discovery stood out: a torso of a genius statue dates from the 3rd century. This statue probably comes from an Obergermanic workshop and could have served as a personal protective god of a wealthy citizen.

a city full of life

The discoveries show that the Roman suburb of Mogontiacum was a pulsating center with commercial activities, pubs and crafts. Ulrich Himmelmann, reigning state archaeologist of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage (GDKE), emphasized that there have been intensive construction and habitat in this region over several centuries. The archaeologists have not only found the remains of the wall, but also numerous ceramic shards and remains of ancient streets that give detailed insights into the lives of people that time.

The Interior Minister Michael Ebling (SPD) clearly found that Mainz was one of the earliest and most important ones under the Roman camps on the Rhine. The fact that the city may be older than the well -known Roman city of Trier is particularly exciting, which leads to persistent discussions among historians. "The first timber construction phase can be dated around 17 or 16 BC," explained Ebling. This underlines the strategic importance of Mainz on the Rhine, where the Roman legions were stationed.

Immediately in front of the walls of the Legion camp, a flowering community developed. The structures found reveal the dense arrangement of residential and commercial buildings, taverns and even bathing establishments. These finds symbolically stand for the way of life of the then Roman population.

The discovery of the burial chamber

Another remarkable find was almost discovered in hidden: a burial chamber from the 1st century with a small stele that was set up in front of the legion camp. This stele was designed so that it was readable from the walls and now attracts the curiosity of the scientists, since the inscription remains undetected. It is an unusual grave facility in such proximity to a military center, which increases its importance.

The importance of these discoveries should not be underestimated because they provide information about Roman culture and social life. Most likely, the grave site was created for an outstanding personality of the time, although the exact connection has not yet been clarified. The letters contained on the stele, F, P and H, many questions keep open and reinforce the interest in further research in the deluge.

Although the site is within an active construction site for the research center, the archaeologists have a lot to do. The planning for the new building has already progressed, but there is now a certain time pressure. The construction site must progress quickly because investors are pushing for quick completion.

The archaeologists are therefore forced to adapt their excavations along the construction of the building. There is concern that essential knowledge could be lost for research without sufficient time. Despite the challenges, the archaeologists are optimistic and willing to give everything to make further exciting discoveries.

insights into Roman history

The remains discovered in Mainz not only offer a window opening in the Roman past, but also show the relevance of archaeological work in modern construction projects. The history of the city becomes alive through such finds and contributes to the clarification of Roman history in Germany. "We have a huge responsibility," said Himmelmann, "and we are ready to take over them."

The discoveries in the construction pit for the Tron Research Center represent an important step in the archeology of Rheinhessen. The area around Mainz, especially Mogontiacum, was of great importance during the Roman era. Archaeologists see Mainz not only as one of the oldest cities in Germany, but also as one of the central legion camps on the Rhine. This geographical location made it a strategically important point for the Roman army and its administration.

The Roman presence in Mainz is closely linked to the rule of Emperor Augustus and Tiberius. Many of the artifacts and structures found in the construction pit indicate the influence of the Roman design and the way of life in these suburbs. The suburbs, at the time of the Roman Empire, were habitats for legionnaires and for civilians, including dealers, craftsmen and their families. In particular, the discovery of storage rooms and workshops illustrates economic activity and social life during this time.

meaning of the finds for science

The current excavations not only offer an insight into everyday life in Roman times, but also open up new questions about urban development in Mainz. The large number of objects found, such as bricks with legion stamps and coins, enables the Romans trade and communication networks to be understanded. In particular, the interweaving between the military and the civilian population is a central topic.

It is particularly noteworthy that the finds form the basis for future research that not only affect the Roman history of Mainz, but may also be able to make contributions to the general history of the Romans in Germania. According to Ebling and Himmelmann, this could lead to a re -evaluation of the Prestige of the Roman Mainz compared to other cities such as Trier, which traditionally be considered important Roman sites.

Another interesting detail is the strategy of archaeologists, which, despite the pressure of construction work on the historical finds, capture. Cooperation between archaeologists and builders is essential to ensure valuable information, although every day on the construction site exerts economic pressure. The preservation of many of these finds could also stimulate future archaeological excavations in the region and contribute to a better understanding of Roman history in Germany.

public and political reactions

The discoveries have aroused great public interest, which is reflected in the reactions of the local community and the media. Both scientists and the general public fascinated the possibility that the understanding of the Roman history of the region could be expanded. The state archeology, under the direction of Ulrich Himmelmann, emphasizes the importance of this finds for the cultural heritage of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Political decision -makers such as Interior Minister Michael Ebling have also spoken out for the preservation and documentation of the finds, which is not only important from a cultural perspective, but also to promote interest in Roman history. This could lead to future investments in archeology and tourism in Mainz, which could enable further growth in the areas of education and local economic growth.

The combination of archaeological finds and a state -of -the -art research center shows the endeavor not only to preserve history, but also to integrate in the scientific and social context of the 21st century.