The archaeologists recently discovered remains of a Roman building complex and ruins of a 2,000-year-old wall in the shadow of the Swiss Alps during an excavation in a gravel mine. They initially found the top of the stone wall while excavating the mine. It was only a few centimetres below the surface. After examining the wall, the archaeologists came to know that it is a 2,000-year-old structure.
Archaeologists also found the ruins of a huge Roman building, covering an area of about 5,300sqft. Several artefacts, including innumerable nails, glass vessels, Roman tableware, bowls and jars, have also been found inside the building that includes several rooms. The archaeologists claimed that part of a Roman building was found in the Swiss Alps about a century ago. Since then, they have found such ruins in a rare first.
Meanwhile, the Canton of Zug's Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology has issued a statement, saying that the wall encompasses at least 5,300sqft near Cham-Oberwil and points to what was once an entire building complex with various rooms. For her part, Christa Ebnöther, the Professor of Archaeology of the Roman Provinces at the University of Bern, has stressed: "Only a few structural relics of this kind from the Roman period are known in the pre-Alpine region. What is also astounding is the relatively good preservation of the remains." She has claimed that the wall is an archaeological sensation.
Some stones of the wall were visible above the surface during the excavation. After further digging, archaeologists discovered the building, apart from that wall. However, it is still not clear for what purpose the building was built. The archaeologists believe that there was a huge villa in that area. They are quite convinced that the recovered iron nails were affixed to a wooden base. The nails came out as the wooden structure was destroyed. The iron nails indicate that the structure was made using wood, as well as stone.
Researchers have mentioned on a website, called History Blog, that artefacts found in the mines suggest that people of various regions were involved in trade at that period of time. Many of those artefacts are priceless. Hence, the researchers are of the opinion that the elite people used to stay in that building or visit the building.
Numerous copper, bronze and silver coins have also been found in the building. One of them is carved with the image of Julius Caesar, while another coin shows an elephant standing on a snake or dragon. The researchers further recovered various parts of high neck jars. According to the researchers, these jars used to contain freshly made sauces, olive oil and wine.
Karin Artho, the Head of the Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology, stated: "These pieces of the puzzle make it possible to trace the life of our ancestors and to better understand our history." Laura Baisas of the Popular Science magazine stressed: "A gravel hill nearby was already inhabited several thousand years before the Romans came, indicating that it was already prime real estate."
Researchers, who are not yet sure what purpose the building served, said: "Is it a villa with a view or a temple building? Finding this out will be the subject of further investigations." Meanwhile, the site was briefly opened to the public on September 2, 2023.
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Facebook
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Twitter
Boundless Ocean of Politics on Linkedin
Contact: kousdas@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment