Status: 06/20/2022 5:12 p.m
It is considered to be uniquely well preserved: an almost 2000-year-old Roman temple complex in the Netherlands. It was found very close to the boundary line of the Limes – and has now been completely excavated.
Archaeologists have uncovered an almost completely preserved Roman temple complex in the east of the Netherlands. It is almost 2000 years old and is also of great international importance, according to the assessment of the Dutch National Office for Cultural Heritage:
Never before has such a complete complex been found in the Netherlands – with temple buildings, consecration altars and hollows with the remains of victims.
These ancient altar stones were also uncovered during the excavation of the Roman temple complex in the Netherlands.
Image: Archaeological Research Institute RAAP/dpa
The facility is located near Nijmegen, right on the German border near Emmerich. The Limes, the northern border of the Roman Empire, also ran there, today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hobby archaeologists found the first objects in Herwen-Hemeling at the end of 2021 and informed the authorities. In the course of further investigations – on a hill on the nearby Rhine – experts then discovered the system. At least two temples would have been located there during the Roman Empire.
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Roman soldiers were stationed in the area from the first to the fourth century. According to the archaeologists, they prayed in the temple complex. When uncovering the remains of the temple, the researchers discovered places of sacrifice, numerous small altars, statues of gods and painted walls.
This photo was published at the end of April. It shows a Roman-era fountain that is part of the temple complex excavated in the Netherlands.
Image: Archaeological Research Institute RAAP/dpa
The archaeologists rate the many small stone altars as extraordinary. Officers would have brought thanks offerings to the gods Hercules Magusanus, Jupiter-Serapis and Mercury on these.