Archeologists discover ancient Roman road leading to Domplein in Utrecht

NL Times ^ | Wednesday, 11 December 2024 | Reporting by ANP

[SunkenCiv]

Archaeologists have discovered a road in Utrecht that led to the Traiectum fortress in Roman times, which was built about 2,000 years ago on the site of the current Domplein. The discovery was made last week during archeological research in connection with upcoming construction work, the municipality of Utrecht reported on Wednesday. According to the municipality, the find is “of great importance for our knowledge of Roman Utrecht and the border community around it.”

The northern border of the Roman Empire went straight through the Netherlands, past the Rijn River. Part of these so-called limes (the Latin word for border) was a meters-wide gravel road, which the municipality of Utrecht also calls the "A1 of the Roman Netherlands," because the road was important for things like troop movements and message traffic.

Romans built things like forts to strengthen the limes, as can still be seen in present-day Utrecht. The road that archaeologists recently discovered there was a branch of the lime road that probably led to that fort.

In addition to the road, archeologists also found part of a harness for carts or wagons. A decorated, solid silver head, probably a hair needle, was also unearthed.

"The discovery of this once again shows that it is important to conduct archaeological research at an early stage of spatial development," said Utrecht alderwoman Rachel Streefland, who works on heritage for the city. "This information is used more than once in the further development of the city. In this way, heritage connects the past with the present."

[SunkenCiv]

Tomb of Roman Soldier Named Flaccus Unearthed | Archaeology Magazine | December 11, 2024 | The 2,000-year-old tomb of a Roman soldier—including evidence of his name—has been discovered in the city of Heerlen, according to a report from The News & Observer. The tomb was found by archaeologists from ADC ArcheoProjecten near the intersection of two ancient roads, Via Belgica and Via Traiana, at the heart of the ancient Roman settlement of Coriovallum. It included a bronze skin scraper, four earthenware plates, and an earthenware bowl with the nickname FLAC carved into it. Researchers have determined that this is short for Flaccus, and, because the pottery came from Italy, that he was a Roman soldier. The find is noteworthy both because it is the oldest Roman grave to have been found in Heerlen and the first in which the name of the deceased could be identified.

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Pottery, including bowl with FLAC carved into it.

Municipality of Heerlen

[SunkenCiv]

This week's digest ping is here, the usual list of the week's addition and related topics follows in a separate post because it's a long one.

[SunkenCiv]

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[ClearCase_guy]

“All roads lead to Rome.”
“This one leads to Domplein in Utrecht.”
“He’s having a stroke!”

[SunkenCiv]

The Romans had a taste for dumplings and misunderstood!

[SunkenCiv]

• Does the artificial watercourse in the Hessian Ried have a Roman past? [04/09/2023]
• From Hand-drag to Jumbo: A Millennium of Dredging [07/30/2004]
• Keeping Up With The Empire (Romans In Netherlands) [05/25/2004]

[Ezekiel]

the "A1 of the Roman Netherlands," because the road was important for things like troop movements and message traffic.

I can see their point, at least for the first one:

AI Overview

Learn more

Troop movements are the tactical relocation of military units from one location to another. The goals of troop movements are to:

Concentrate combat power at critical points
Get troops and equipment to their destination at the right time
Prepare troops for combat...

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message traffic

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🤔

It's classified!

[Larry Lucido]

Avoid any roads that go through forests. Particularly the Teutoburg Forest. Those roads can be narrower than expected.

[Bob434]

[[Archeologists discover ancient Roman road leading to Domplein in Utrecht]]

PHEW! I was wondering how I was gonna get to Domplein! Now you tell me there is a road? Oh happy day! 😊

[Bob434]

And never go through the fire swamp b3cause Fire swamps often have holes that shoot jets of flame and pools of sinking sand. They are also home to rodents of unusual size.

[SunkenCiv]

https://search.brave.com/search?q=Fossa+Drusiana

https://www.google.com/search?q=Fossa+Drusiana

[SunkenCiv]

I’ve never been to Domplein, but I kinda like the music.

[Larry Lucido]

Dang ROUS’s!

[BlueLancer]

The road was so hard to find because hardly any Romans travel to Domplein anymore ...

[Bob434]

Lol, that’s why I’m going, the Domplein music festival 😆

[SunkenCiv]

Visitors to the Roman forts often remark at how messy they are, almost as if housekeeping hasn’t been in in a while.

[ExcursionGuy84]

Romanus Eunt Domus.

(Life of Brian reference off/)

[SunkenCiv]

:^)