Roman treasures in Mainz: Ancient artifacts discovered on construction site
Roman treasures in Mainz: Ancient artifacts discovered on construction site
In an interesting place in Mainz, where a new research center is currently being built, remarkable finds from the time of the ancient Rome have been discovered. These finds include a grave and a partially preserved statue that were buried deep in the earth and offer a fascinating insight into the history of the region. Those responsible like the Minister Michael Ebling and Clemens Hoch of the SPD presented the artifacts to the public and thus rekindled interest in the ancient remains.
The excavations are part of the preparations for the construction of a new facility, which is to be operated by the non -profit company Tron. It is particularly exciting that the construction site is very close to a former Roman legionnaire warehouse, which underlines the importance of the finds. According to Ebling, around 12,000 soldiers once lived there, which brought with it a certain degree of cultural diversity and historical importance.
finds and their meaning
The most impressive discoveries include a marble grave stone from the 1st century, which is decorated with the letters F, P and H, as well as a sandstone statue that has similarities with the Roman goddess Salus. Ulrich Himmelmann, the state archaeologist of the GDKE, explained that such graves are relatively rare in settlements, which is why the discovery of the tombstone is of particular importance.The recovered artifacts are not only of archaeological interest, but also provide insights into the everyday life of people in Roman times. The tombstone refers to a stone building, while the examination of a burial chamber with arched basement brings further stories to light further stories about the burial culture. The sandstone statue is considered extremely valuable and could be of great benefit to future archaeological studies.
In addition, during the excavations, the researchers found remains of a former Roman building, including stone walls and wooden posts, which indicate underfloor heating. Himmelmann emphasized that the history of Mainz can be found in this region in a practically layered way for centuries, which further increases the importance of the discoveries.insight into the construction projects
The planned research center is being built by Tron, which is connected to partners such as the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, the University Hospital Mainz and the Johannes Gutenberg University. The total costs of the project amount to around 175 million euros, with an original completion in 2027. However, the archaeological examinations will delays about two months, which forces the project managers to make adjustments to advance the construction without neglecting the scientific analysis of the finds.
Michael Ludolf, the commercial director of Tron, was quoted that the efforts are continued despite the delays so that archaeological work can be carried out quickly and efficiently. It is essential to secure and document the finds before the construction of the new center continues.
The archaeological work should be completed by Christmas 2023, which means that a lively exchange between archaeologists and builders can take place. The numerous artifacts found, including coins and broken glass, were hundreds of containers that have recently been collected. These discoveries will not only be of interest to archaeologists, but also for scientists who deal with the medical applications and technologies of the new research center.
a look into the past
The rediscovered story from the Roman period shows how rich and diverse the cultural heritage of this region is. The artifacts that were buried underground tell stories of people, their life and their burial. They offer lively proof of the long tradition of Mainz as an important location in the Roman world. The connection between the excavation results and the new research center could lead to a deep appreciation of past cultures and their importance for modern science
historical contexts and meaning of the finds
The discoveries on the construction site in Mainz are not only important for the history of the city, but also for understanding the Roman presence in Central Europe. Mainz, as one of the oldest cities in Germany, was an important location during the Roman Empire, known as Mogontiacum, the capital of the Roman province of Germania Superior. The finds of gravestones and statues provide information about religious practices, the burial culture and the social structure of the time.
Roman culture was characterized by a polytheistic belief system, and the statues such as the newly found sandstone statue could have depicted gods or important figures that played a role in everyday life. The find of the burial chamber and the tombstones also shows that the Roman burial culture was highly developed and locally anchored, which indicates that the traditions and rituals of the Romans were also introduced and maintained in the province.
Archaeological methods and challenges
The archaeological studies in front of a construction site are a procedure that is not only required by law, but also crucial for the preservation of the cultural heritage. A team of archaeologists under the direction of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage (GDKE) has the challenge of securing the artifacts and at the same time not hinder the construction progress. This balance requires innovative approaches in the archaeological methodology, including the use of geophysical processes for the localization of artifacts before excavation begins.
The site in Mainz shows how modern technology can be combined with traditional archaeological techniques in order to work more efficiently and effectively. When excavation, care is carefully taken to preserve the contestual integrity of the finds, which often means that materials are analyzed and documented on site before they are transported for further examinations.
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