'Really incredible' ... the site of the second-century library discovered in Cologne. Photograph: Hi-flyFoto/Roman-Germanic Museum of Cologne
Posted on 08/01/2018 11:08:55 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
The remains of the oldest public library in Germany, a building erected almost two millennia ago that may have housed up to 20,000 scrolls, have been discovered in the middle of Cologne.
The walls were first uncovered in 2017, during an excavation on the grounds of a Protestant church in the centre of the city. Archaeologists knew they were of Roman origins, with Cologne being one of Germany's oldest cities, founded by the Romans in 50 AD under the name Colonia. But the discovery of niches in the walls, measuring approximately 80cm by 50cm, was, initially, mystifying... "But what they are are kind of cupboards for the scrolls," said Dr Dirk Schmitz from the Roman-Germanic Museum of Cologne. "They are very particular to libraries -- you can see the same ones in the library at Ephesus."
It is not clear how many scrolls the library would have held, but it would have been "quite huge -- maybe 20,000", said Schmitz. The building would have been slightly smaller than the famed library at Ephesus, which was built in 117 AD. He described the discovery as "really incredible -- a spectacular find".
"It dates from the middle of the second century and is at a minimum the earliest library in Germany, and perhaps in the north-west Roman provinces," he said. "Perhaps there are a lot of Roman towns that have libraries, but they haven't been excavated...
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
'Really incredible' ... the site of the second-century library discovered in Cologne. Photograph: Hi-flyFoto/Roman-Germanic Museum of Cologne
Wonderful.
An EMPTY library.
Arrowheads survive, arrows don't. The library contents probably were carried off by Romans, burned by barbarian hordes, or recycled at some nearby Dark Age monastery.
I wholeheartedly agree.
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It said the building housed a public library. I can only imagine what the “late” return penalties would be.
LOL! Five years chained to a galley oar!!!
But seriously, I don't think ancient libraries were lending libraries.
I knew it was Koln when I saw the headline. All the good relics are found there because 90% of the city was destroyed by our bombers.
The paper-hanger befouled even more than he destroyed.
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>>The walls were first uncovered in 2017, during an excavation on the grounds of a Protestant church in the centre of the city. Archaeologists knew they were of Roman origins
There were Protestants in Germany in 117 A.D.?
Have they ascertained whether the librarians wore Birkenstocks, or Roman sandals?
What's the matter? Are you tracking down overdue library books?
Arrowheads survive, arrows don’t. The library contents probably were carried off by Romans, burned by barbarian hordes, or recycled at some nearby Dark Age monastery.
~~~
IF this is legit 2000 years old, that is about the right time for it all to get sacked by the Romans, and they had a particular passion for destroying the cultures they encountered. But I think you are right, it would be a miracle if actual materials (writing from the time) survived regardless
The librarian probably had authority to do more then just tell you to be quiet! Like
I. 1st offense scourged,
2. 2nd offense hung by thumbs,
3. 3rd offense, tongue cut out.
probably not a 4th offense for loud talking after that
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