Just Inches Below the Forest Floor, Archaeologists in Germany Unearthed a Roman Temple Likely Dedicated to Mars, the God of War

Smithsonian Magazine ^ | October 8, 2026 | Sarah Kuta

[SunkenCiv]

The structure was concealed just beneath the forest floor in the foothills of the eastern Taunus Mountains, on the northern outskirts of Frankfurt, according to a September 25 announcement from the Hesse State Office for Monument Preservation. 

The temple is rectangular and measures about 16 feet long. Inside, it appears to have contained a smaller, square chamber with just three roughly 20-inch-thick walls, Thomas Kurella reports for Hessenschau... 

Archaeologists unearthed this temple during ongoing excavations of the Kapersburg fort -- a Roman military fortification thought to date back to the second century... likely constructed under the reign of Emperor Trajan or Emperor Hadrian, per Live Science. A Roman military unit called the Numerus Nidensium was stationed there for roughly 150 years, until the fort was abandoned in the middle of the third century C.E. The group likely originated in the nearby Roman town of Nida, now the Heddernheim quarter of Frankfurt... 

Researchers believe roughly 160 men were stationed at the fort, while up to 700 people lived in the nearby village, per Hessenschau. 

The site is part of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes... This 342-mile stretch, which runs between the Rhine and the Danube rivers... 

The archaeologists are currently deciphering a Latin inscription on another votive stone from within the temple chamber, which may reveal further information, or even the name, of the ancient village near the Kapersburg fort.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: fauxiantrolls; godsgravesglyphs

[SunkenCiv]

Archaeologists found an amphora that appears to have been repurposed as part of a building foundation.

Lars Görze MA, LfDH

[SunkenCiv]

[German-language vid linked in the article] Seit 2024 untersucht die hessenARCHÄOLOGIE gemeinsam mit dem provinzialrömischen Seminar der Universität Frankfurt das Lagerdorf -- den sogenannten Vicus -- des Römerkastells Kapersburg im östlichen Taunus. Nur wenige Zentimeter unter dem Waldboden liegt hier die Geschichte der römischen Präsenz an der Grenze des Imperiums verborgen. Bezirksarchäologe Dr. Kai Mückenberger berichtet zum Tag der offenen Grabung von den aktuellen Ergenissen der Ausgrabung. Ein Film von Stephan Dinges. 

Die Ausgrabungen im Vicus der Kapersburg (2026) | 3:38 
Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Hessen | 20 subscribers | 1,616 views | September 29, 2026

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the link!

[Texas Eagle]

A 3 walled Temple? They sure it wasn’t an ancient Roman bus stop?

[MtnClimber]

I think the Romans would wait inside until the volley of arrows landed and then jump out with their M60 machine guns.

[Mogger]

Translation: “CE” = “AD”.

[Texas Eagle]

What historical event occurred that serves as the genesis of the Common Era?

[Egon]

...Archaeologists in Germany Unearthed a Roman Temple Likely Dedicated to Mars, the God of War

Well... that explains a lot. ;]

[Empire_of_Liberty]

It looks like there was a sacred kiln, inside.

[SunkenCiv]

Just be glad it wasn’t Uranus, the god of Pull My Finger.

[tumblindice]

That’s as far as they got.
“Where are your gods now, Augustus? (nailing Romans to trees) nyaah nyahh!”
Hermanius
Of course the opening battle scene of the movie Gladiator turned history on its ear. Hooray for Hollywood.

Stwike the webel, Centuwion! Stwike him wuffly.
Pontius Pilate

[Adder]

Wait...are those NAZI symbols??? HMMMM????

[Mogger]

What historical event occurred that serves as the genesis of the Common Era?

recently or in the 1600s?

As far as one event goes, I have no idea.

[Texas Eagle]

Was there a particular person whose birth serves as the demarcation line? 🤔

[jmacusa]

Yup.

And then they unleash the Tiger tanks with the 88mm’s and it’s all over.

[HandyDandy]

Hint: There was no room at the inn!

[algore]

It has been a while since I listened to that.

crank it up and enjoy!

https://youtu.be/L0bcRCCg01I

[Menes]

Well, a Roman temple at the borderlands, with several garrisons nearby and not much else…seems logical that the soldiers were praying mainly to the god of war.

A Venus temple might not so much have been appropriate to this situation…😅