25 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia

Archaeologists in Croatia have uncovered the remains of a 1,800-year-old Roman watchtower that once stood guard along the empire’s northern frontier.

Nestled in the village of Mohovo on the banks of the Danube River, this remarkable structure sheds new light on the Roman Empire’s vast border defense system — the Danubian Limes — and its military response to external threats during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

A Strategic Guardian of the Danube

The watchtower, likely built in the late second century A.D., played a crucial role in protecting the Roman Empire during the Marcomannic Wars (A.D. 166–180). This turbulent period saw the Roman army clashing with Germanic tribes such as the Marcomanni, and nomadic Sarmatians from regions now within modern-day Russia and Eastern Europe. The conflict led to the construction of numerous military installations along the Danube, including this newly excavated tower, which formed part of a network safeguarding vital river crossings and trade routes.

According to Dr. Marko Dizdar, director of the Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb and lead researcher on the project, “The watchtower was built in a strategic location, at one of the crossings over the Danube River. From this position, there was excellent visual control of a large area, and it was naturally protected on three sides by deep ravines.”

1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia. Credit: Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb
1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia. Credit: Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb

Layers of History Beneath the Surface

Excavation of the Mohovo site began in earnest in April 2025 following years of geomagnetic surveys conducted between 2003 and 2023. These noninvasive techniques had suggested the presence of multiple Roman military structures across at least ten locations in eastern Croatia. However, the Mohovo tower marks the first systematically researched Roman watchtower on the Croatian Limes, confirming long-held assumptions about the region’s defensive role.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



Measuring approximately 130 by 100 feet (40 by 30 meters), the tower was fortified by deep defensive ditches and surrounded by a wooden palisade. At its center stood a wooden building, likely used by the Roman soldiers stationed there. Dizdar notes that the site underwent three construction phases, indicating repeated upgrades or repairs, and that by the 4th century A.D., it may have been replaced by a smaller fortification equipped with a tower.

Artifacts recovered from the site include military equipment, ceramic vessels, and brooches, all pointing to active Roman presence well into the 3rd century A.D. The discovery not only confirms the area’s military function but also demonstrates the architectural evolution of Roman frontier defense.

A Beacon in the Defensive Network

The Mohovo watchtower likely operated as part of a visual communication network, positioned to relay messages quickly to nearby outposts in Sotin and Ilok, about 12 kilometers away. With other towers located roughly 2 to 3 kilometers apart, soldiers could send warnings across the frontier in the event of an enemy advance.

“This system allowed the Romans to mobilize forces rapidly in response to threats,” said Dizdar. “Crossing the ditches around the tower would have been highly demanding for attackers, buying precious time for defenders to react.”

1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia. Credit: Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb
1,800-Year-Old Roman Watchtower Discovered in Croatia. Credit: Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb

Preserving a Multilayered Heritage

Interestingly, the site at Mohovo holds even deeper historical significance. In addition to Roman remains, archaeologists have uncovered traces of Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and medieval settlements — a testament to the area’s long-standing importance as a crossroads of civilizations.

The Croatian team’s work is part of a broader initiative to protect and promote the Danubian Limes as a potential addition to the UNESCO World Heritage list. The discovery underscores not only the Roman Empire’s vast military reach but also the cultural continuity that shaped the region over millennia.

Unlocking the Empire’s Military Legacy

The excavation of the Roman watchtower in Mohovo offers a rare glimpse into the empire’s complex border security systems and the daily lives of soldiers stationed far from Rome. As research continues, archaeologists hope to better understand how these frontier structures evolved in response to shifting political and military landscapes.

With further digs planned to investigate the transformation of the site in the 4th century, the Mohovo tower stands as a remarkable monument to Roman engineering, strategy, and resilience — and a silent sentinel of an empire once determined to hold the line against the world beyond.

Udruga Dolina Mamuta

Cover Image Credit: Institute of Archaeology in Zagreb

Related Articles

The 3,200-year-old perfume of Tapputi, the first female chemist in history, came to life again

24 July 2022

24 July 2022

One of the scent formulas written in Akkadian on clay tablets by Tapputi, known as the world’s first female perfumer...

Early Female Emperors in Japan “Empress Kōken”

2 July 2021

2 July 2021

Born into the aristocratic Fujiwara clan, this extraordinary woman first ascended to the throne as Empress Kōken and became the...

Statue heads of “Aphrodite” and “Dionysus” were found in Aizanoi Ancient City in Turkey’s

30 October 2021

30 October 2021

The statue heads of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Dionysus, the god of wine, were unearthed in...

To The West of Turkey Ancient Quarry Found

28 March 2021

28 March 2021

Turkey is very lucky in terms of ancient settlements. It is home to many unexplored artifacts, along with well-preserved ancient...

Archaeologists Discovered the Largest Inscription Ever Found in Sri Lanka

10 February 2024

10 February 2024

Archaeologists discovered the largest inscription ever found in Sri Lanka. The largest inscription ever discovered in Sri Lanka was found...

A center on the Anatolian Mesopotamian trade route; Tavsanli Mound

24 October 2021

24 October 2021

Excavations at Tavşanlı mound, which is known to be the first settlement in Western Anatolia during the Bronze Age, continue....

In Switzerland, a Roman amphitheater was discovered during the construction of boathouse

21 January 2022

21 January 2022

Archaeologists from Aargau Cantonal Archaeology have announced the discovery of a Roman amphitheater in Kaiseraugst, located in the canton of...

In Poland, a 45-meter-long mysterious tunnel found under the ruins of the Saxon Palace

9 September 2023

9 September 2023

A mysterious underground tunnel was found under the ruins of the Saski Palace in Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, the capital...

The Half of the Rare Oil Lamp Found in Jerusalem May be in Budapest

9 May 2021

9 May 2021

We had recently reported on a grotesque lamp found in Jerusalem. The other half of the oil lamp, which is...

A Rare Late Neolithic Period Seal found in Domuztepe Mound

25 August 2022

25 August 2022

A rare Late Neolithic Seal was discovered during the 2022 excavations of the Domuztepe Mound (Domuztepe Höyük), located on the...

Rare 15th-Century Coin Hoard of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Unearthed in Smolensk: The ‘Dollar of the Middle Ages’ Found

2 October 2025

2 October 2025

Smolensk archaeologists uncover 48 medieval silver coins, including Prague groschen — widely known as the ‘Dollar of the Middle Ages’...

8000 years old fingerprint and ceramic production workshop found in İzmir Ulucak Mound

22 August 2022

22 August 2022

It was understood that the structure unearthed during the ongoing excavations in the 8850-year-old Ulucak Mound (Ulucak Höyük), the oldest...

Impressive proof of technology transfer in Antiquity times “2700 year- old a Leather Armor”

20 July 2022

20 July 2022

Design and construction details of the unique leather-scaled armor found in a horse rider’s tomb in northwest China indicate that...

A 3300-year-old seal and a dagger/sword reminiscent of Mycenaean swords were discovered in the Heart of western Anatolia

18 July 2022

18 July 2022

A unique 3300-year-old seal and a sword/dagger reminiscent of Mycenaean swords were unearthed during the excavations of Tavşanlı Höyük (Tavşanlı...

Grave Goods Show Gendered Roles for Neolithic Age

16 April 2021

16 April 2021

Grave goods, such as stone tools, have revealed that Neolithic farmers had different work-related activities for men and women. Researchers...