Along an ancient road that was lined with columns and stretched 13 feet across, archaeologists found the ruins of several houses as well as latrines, infant burials, and a bronze panther figurine.
Freigelegter Keller / Kanton AargauExcavations at Augusta Raurica , an archaeological site from the Roman geological era in Switzerland .
Augusta Raurica is one of the most of import ancient Roman web site in Switzerland . Located just north of the Alps , it ’s an active archaeological web site as well as the home of a museum that holds more than 2 million artifacts . And during excavations ahead of the ontogenesis of raw flat nearby , archaeologist have uncover more to add to the collection .
These excavations unveiled a route and several structures as well as a collection of baby interment and a “ rare ” bronze panther statuette . Archaeologists said that these exciting find have “ significantly expanded our noesis of the gloomy town of ancient Augusta Raurica . ”
Freigelegter Keller/Kanton AargauExcavations at Augusta Raurica, an archaeological site from the Roman era in Switzerland.
Rare Discoveries Among Ancient Roman Ruins In Northern Switzerland
harmonise to apress release from the Canton of Aargau , the discoveries were made during digging ahead of the development of three new apartment building in the area . After a geologic survey , archaeologists begin to excavate an area of roughly 194,000 hearty fundament .
Within this area , archaeologists identify a papistic road with building and court on either side , as well as porticoes . The route was 13 feet wide , and had obviously been restored multiple times . The off-white of the houses were surprisingly well - preserved , and because of their “ rectangular floor plans , internal layout , and rear courtyards , ” archaeologists conceive they were slip houses , or row houses .
archeologist also incur several shot and pits in the court of the house , which may have been latrines or storage beam . In addition , they also excavate several infant burying — inancient Rome , which had a eminent infant mortality pace , infants were customarily buried at the family ’s abode .
Kanton AargauFollowing geological surveys, archaeologists were able to focus on an excavation area of 18,000 square meters.
But perhaps the most fascinating finds during the excavation were a bit of “ rare ” objects . Archaeologists unearthed a tuff votive holder , a mosaic glass spindle whorl , and a diminished bronze panther figurine .
Römerstadt Augusta RauricaThe bronze panther figurine that was unearthed during excavations at Augusta Raurica .
This part of Augusta Raurica was likely developed between the late first century C.E. and the tertiary century C.E. , which place it near the end of this popish settlement ’s tumultuous story .
Römerstadt Augusta RauricaThe bronze panther figurine that was unearthed during excavations at Augusta Raurica.
The Dramatic Rise And Fall Of Augusta Raurica
According to theAugusta Raurica museum , the settlement was first manufacture around 15 B.C.E , and turn rapidly over the next 200 class . Advantageously located on the Rhine River , and along the west - east route from Gaul to the Danube River and the Raetia province , the universe of Augusta Raurica soon swelled to 15,000 habitant .
Augusta Raurica MuseumThe amphitheatre at Augusta Raurica is one of the settlement ’s most well - preserved sites .
Like other prosperous Roman settlements of its daytime , Augusta Raurica once had temple , a forum , public paths , road , and an amphitheater . Augusta Raurica also had the prominent Roman theater Frederick North of the Alps , which could sit down between 8,000 to 10,000 spectators .
Augusta Raurica MuseumThe amphitheater at Augusta Raurica is one of the settlement’s most well-preserved sites.
But like other Roman settlements , Augusta Raurica soon fell on gruelling times . War , epidemic , and crop unsuccessful person lead to the slow desertion of the town , and by 300 C.E. many people had proceed closer to a big fort on the Rhine . Roman Catholic troop leave the settlement a century later , aroundthe clock time Rome fell . Though Augusta Raurica remained an important administrative center and market townspeople , it decline as nearby Basel began to boom in the 7th hundred .
Susanne SchenkerThe ruins of the Augusta Raurica Roman basilica .
Augusta Raurica then became a lowly fishing village . Today , it ’s an dig site , research midpoint , and museum — and a fat source of Roman artifact . Archaeologists have gain from the wealth of artifact at the former colony , and they even know the name of some of its dweller thanks to “ tombstones and votive altar or from dedications on buildings . ”
Susanne SchenkerThe ruins of the Augusta Raurica basilica.
But as the recent finds at Augusta Raurica show , there ’s still much to learn about this once - thriving Roman settlement . Many of its former structures are expose to the air for visitors to see , but some hints about ancient Roman life history in Augusta Raurica , from the child mourned and entomb , to the prize items like the panther figurine , may persist inhume in the reason .
After understand about the rare and surprising discovery made at Augusta Raurica during late excavations , go inside the fascinating inquiry ofwhy the Roman Empire come down . Then , learn about some ofthe most unbelievable R.C. gladiatorsto ever enter the field .
