• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Anthropology

Archaeologists uncover Roman-era early settler burials in Germany

by Dario Radley
September 20, 2023

A team of archaeologists, including students and professionals, has uncovered a burial ground near Nauheim, a town southwest of Frankfurt in the central-western German state of Hessen.

The excavation was conducted over six weeks as part of a rescue operation to recover valuable archaeological materials before intensive agricultural work and soil deterioration could destroy the site. The region had a known history of a Roman military camp, leading the team to expect Roman remains. However, they were surprised to discover the graves of early settlers who had arrived in the middle of the 1st century CE.

The Hessian Ried region, situated in the Upper Rhine Plain, was characterized by swampy terrain and sparse population during the 1st century. While the area was initially settled by the Germanic Chatti tribe in the 1st century BCE, any indigenous Celtic population left no archaeological evidence. It was in the 1st century CE that the Roman army expanded from the Mainz fort to secure the Rhineland, constructing roads and waterways for transportation. This infrastructure attracted tribes from northern Germany, seeking better opportunities, leading to the development of rural settlements along these routes.

In total, the archaeologists unearthed 46 graves at the site, predominantly consisting of 44 cremation burials, with only two inhumations. Additionally, six rectangular ditch systems were discovered, which were likely used to enclose special burials and are believed to date back to the founding phase of the burial ground. Notably, the foundation of a tomb, once several meters high, was also found, although it had been dismantled in the Middle Ages, likely for its stone.

Archaeologists uncover Roman-era early settler burials in Germany
The curious bronze container that served as a burial vessel for an individual was discovered, accompanied by a glass jar located nearby at the burial ground. Credit: Ralf Klausmann, Hesse archaeologist

The origins of the burial ground trace back to the early 3rd century, and it had been used for over 150 years by residents of a neighboring estate as a burial place. The presence of certain items, such as complete glass urns, suggests a degree of prosperity among those interred.

RelatedStories

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire. Credit: James Haris

Roman cavalry swords lead to discovery of Iron Age settlement and possible Roman villa in Gloucestershire

July 7, 2025
2,000-year-old wall paintings revealed from ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’ Credit: MOLA

2,000-year-old wall paintings unearthed in ‘Beverly Hills of Roman London’

June 20, 2025

One remarkable form of burial that stood out was the “early Nauheimer in the bucket.” This unconventional burial practice involved placing a person in a bronze bucket and providing tools like scissors or knives, a departure from typical Roman burial customs. Importantly, this discovery marked the first evidence of such grave enclosures in southern Hesse, even though this custom was widespread in eastern Gaul during the late Iron Age (1st century BCE) and the 1st century CE. This unconventional burial practice provides clear evidence that immigrants brought not only their culture but also their burial traditions with them.

Professor Markus Scholz, the head of the Archeology and History of the Roman Provinces course at Goethe University, commented on the uniqueness of this burial practice. He noted that the bucket must have been imported and likely cost one or two dinars. The high-quality grave goods, including a complete urn made of green glass, suggest a certain level of affluence among those interred.

These findings help paint a vivid picture of life in the Nauheim region nearly 2,000 years ago, showcasing the cultural diversity brought by immigrant settlers and their adoption of Gallic funerary customs. The presence of immigrant ethnic groups, such as Germanic military farmers, drawn by the Romans from the north, who took over security responsibilities in the province on the Roman Empire’s border, offers insights into the dynamics of the time.

The burial ground’s location near a Roman military camp aligns with the historical context of the mid-1st century when a growing rural settlement emerged in the region. Prior to the arrival of the Roman legions, the area had been sparsely populated. This suggests that settlers were intentionally brought to this location to foster settlement and development.

The diversity in grave equipment further underscores the unique nature of these burials, with the bronze vessel burial, accompanied by metal items like scissors and small knives, deviating from typical Roman burial practices.

Additionally, six rectangular ditch systems were uncovered, all associated with the founding phase of the burial ground, suggesting the enclosure of special burials. Some wealthier individuals were buried separately, potentially reflecting social stratification.

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts
Archaeology

Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts

July 13, 2025
1,600-year-old tomb of Caracol’s founding king Te K’ab Chaak unearthed in Belize jungle
Anthropology

1,600-year-old tomb of Caracol’s founding king Te K’ab Chaak unearthed in Belize jungle

July 12, 2025
11,000-year-old feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains reveals long-distance animal transport and early Neolithic social rituals
Archaeology

11,000-year-old feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains reveals long-distance animal transport and early Neolithic social rituals

July 12, 2025
UNESCO adds Iran’s Khorramabad Valley to World Heritage List, highlighting 60,000 years of human history
Anthropology

UNESCO adds Iran’s Khorramabad Valley to World Heritage List, highlighting 60,000 years of human history

July 12, 2025
5,500-year-old 'Polish pyramids' discovered in western Poland reveal Neolithic engineering
Anthropology

5,500-year-old ‘Polish pyramids’ discovered in western Poland reveal Neolithic engineering

July 11, 2025
17th-century Gullberg’s fortress in Gothenburg brought to life through 3D reconstruction
Archaeology

17th-century Gullberg’s fortress in Gothenburg brought to life through 3D reconstruction

July 11, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
43K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Shipwreck Salvage. Credit: rawpixel.com / Public Domain

2,000-year-old shipwreck discovered off Turkish coast with remarkably preserved stacked ceramics

July 2, 2025
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore, study finds

Neanderthals operated prehistoric “fat factory” 125,000 years ago on German lakeshore

July 3, 2025
Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

Exceptionally large Roman shoes discovered at Magna fort near Hadrian’s Wall

July 3, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Castillian ambassadors attempting to convince Almohad king Abu Hafs Umar al-Murtada to join their alliance. Contemporary depiction from The Cantigas de Santa Maria. Public Domain

Zīrid Ifrīqiya and the Islamic world in the 10th–12th centuries: an international conference at UCL

July 14, 2025
Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts

Mad emperor Caligula had surprising medical knowledge, new research reveals from ancient Roman texts

July 13, 2025
1,600-year-old tomb of Caracol’s founding king Te K’ab Chaak unearthed in Belize jungle

1,600-year-old tomb of Caracol’s founding king Te K’ab Chaak unearthed in Belize jungle

July 12, 2025
11,000-year-old feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains reveals long-distance animal transport and early Neolithic social rituals

11,000-year-old feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains reveals long-distance animal transport and early Neolithic social rituals

July 12, 2025
UNESCO adds Iran’s Khorramabad Valley to World Heritage List, highlighting 60,000 years of human history

UNESCO adds Iran’s Khorramabad Valley to World Heritage List, highlighting 60,000 years of human history

July 12, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.