Archaeologists from the Westphalia-Lippe Regional Association (LWL) have uncovered the foundation remains of two small Roman temples and a sacrificial pit on the site of the former Roman camp in Haltern (Recklinghausen district). “Although the two rectangular cult buildings were only made of wattle and daub,” said LWL Roman expert Dr. Bettina Tremmel, “they were inspired by the typical large stone podium temples that were prevalent in many Roman cities during the time of Emperor Augustus.”
The discovery is exceptional because such cult buildings have never been found within Roman military encampments elsewhere. The revealed building remains were first examined almost 100 years ago. Until now, this unusual combination of a Roman camp and cult buildings had received little attention in the scientific community due to a lack of comparisons.
In the current excavation area, experts have almost completely exposed the floor plan of the western cult building. The rectangular, 30-square-meter wooden structure had a five-meter-wide entrance at the front. The front of the building was architecturally emphasized by two standing wooden columns.
First Examined in 1928
The two small temples are located within a complex covering over 2,000 square meters, which was uncovered in 1928 by the then Chief Archaeologist of Westphalia, Prof. Dr. August Stieren. Certain floor plan details led him to believe that the complex was initially used as a “schola,” a meeting place for military personnel. After some modifications, it also housed a military workshop, as indicated by many tool finds.
Due to time and budget constraints, Stieren left many construction findings in the ground. “Fortunately,” said today’s Roman expert at LWL Archaeology for Westphalia, “because the new survey unexpectedly revealed a measurement error.” The cult buildings are located one meter further south than previously assumed. They were integrated into the building structure in a way that did not require the removal of other rooms.
Various ground disturbances over the past 80 years have unfortunately severely disrupted the archaeological structures. “Finding the Roman discolorations between the disturbances often resembled a Sisyphean task,” Tremmel recounts. In the precise recording of post holes and post traces, she was supported by archaeology students from the University of Trier under the direction of Dr. Stephan Berke.
The second building looked almost identical according to Stieren’s plan. Between the two buildings was a ground-level pit enclosed by a small niche building. Stieren had already taken charcoal remains from it, and this area was also heavily disturbed. Other finds, especially those related to cult activities, do not seem to have surfaced.
“At our current research stage, the two small temples and the niche building with the cremation pit constitute a unique building group within a Roman camp, and even earlier archaeologists have speculated about the function of these buildings,” says Prof. Dr. Michael Rind, Director of LWL Archaeology for Westphalia.
Forbidden Burial?
The circular ditch system, preserved as soil discoloration, is located right next to the cult buildings. The depth of the small ditch and the Roman finds within it argue against a Bronze Age dating and are more comparable to layouts from the Roman cemetery of Haltern. However, according to Roman law, the construction of a grave within a settlement was forbidden.
LWL Culture Commissioner Dr. Barbara Rüschoff-Parzinger: “When we think of Romans in Westphalia, we first think of elaborate logistics, large military installations, and shiny equipment. The religious beliefs of the Romans have played a subordinate role in our work so far. In the coming months, we will explore the mystery behind this unique discovery on Germanikusstraße.”
Source: Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe [November 07, 2023]
