25 June 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Ancient Roman Road with Porticoes and Rare Artifacts Discovered in Switzerland

A major rescue excavation in Kaiseraugst, northern Switzerland, has revealed a substantial Roman road complete with porticoes, alongside poignant infant burials and a collection of intriguing artifacts, including a remarkably rare bronze panther statuette.

The discoveries offer a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and urban planning of Augusta Raurica, a significant Roman settlement founded in 44 BCE and recognized as the best-preserved Roman city north of the Alps.

The extensive excavation, conducted by the Aargau Cantonal Archaeology Department between May 2024 and March 2025, was necessitated by an upcoming construction project involving the development of two previously undeveloped plots for multi-family housing. Situated within the lower town of ancient Augusta Raurica, the site’s proximity to a known Late Roman burial ground prompted meticulous planning, informed by earlier geophysical surveys in 2019, 2021, and 2023. This pre-excavation work enabled archaeologists to strategically target their efforts, even allowing for adjustments to the excavation plan to preserve nearby Late Roman burials.

The unearthed Roman road, measuring approximately 13 feet (nearly 4 meters) in width, showcased evidence of multiple renovations over time. Flanked by drainage ditches and colonnaded porticoes on both sides, the road provided a clear illustration of Roman infrastructure and sophisticated urban design. Excavations also revealed the cellars of two adjacent buildings, identified as strip houses – narrow dwellings fronting the road, a prevalent architectural style in the northwestern Roman provinces. The layout of these houses suggests ease of access to the thoroughfare, highlighting the importance of the road in the community’s fabric.

In the courtyards behind the Roman strip dwellings, a number of shafts were found. Credit: Kanton Aargau
In the courtyards behind the Roman strip dwellings, a number of shafts were found. Credit: Kanton Aargau

Intriguingly, the back courtyards of these strip houses yielded stone-lined shafts, believed to be either latrines or storage spaces, alongside several infant burials. This practice, common in the Roman world due to high child mortality rates, saw deceased infants often laid to rest within the family home rather than in formal cemeteries, reflecting both practical considerations and familial care.

The period of occupation for this neighborhood is dated between the late 1st and the 3rd centuries AD, with subsequent Late Roman activity indicated by numerous coins and individual finds. Among the diverse discoveries, several stand out for their rarity and significance. A small bronze statuette of a panther, a votive holder crafted from tuff (a type of volcanic rock), and a mosaic glass spindle whorl offer unique insights into the personal lives, religious practices, and craftsmanship of Augusta Raurica’s inhabitants. Such finds are not commonly encountered, making these discoveries particularly valuable.

The “Schürmatt” excavation marks a milestone for the Aargau Cantonal Archaeology Department as their first fully digitally documented project. Utilizing innovative methods, all findings were digitally recorded in the field, with data directly entered into a database. This approach ensured exceptionally precise and efficient documentation, setting a new benchmark for future archaeological endeavors, potentially across different cantons.

A surprising discovery was a small, intricately detailed bronze panther statuette. Credit: Kanton Aargau
A surprising discovery was a small, intricately detailed bronze panther statuette. Credit: Kanton Aargau

The successful completion of the excavation has significantly enhanced our understanding of the urban layout and daily life in the lower town of Kaiseraugst during the Roman era, further solidifying Augusta Raurica’s importance as a remarkably preserved window into the Roman world north of the Alps.

Kanton Aargau

Cover Image Credit: Kanton Aargau

Related Articles

Persian-era plaster walls were discovered during excavations at Zeyve Höyük in central Turkey

2 August 2022

2 August 2022

This year’s excavations at Porsuk-Zeyve Höyük (Zeyve Mound) near the Porsuk village of the Ulukışla district of Niğde, located in...

11,000-Year-Old LSU Campus Mounds Are Oldest Known Human-Made Structures In North America

23 August 2022

23 August 2022

According to new research published in the American Journal of Science, two six-meter (20-foot) high mounds on the campus of...

Royal-Memorial Inscription Attributed to King Sargon II Discovered in Western Iran

25 April 2021

25 April 2021

In western Iran, Iranian archaeologists discovered a part of a royal memorial inscription attributed to the Neo-Assyrian king Sargon II....

The World’s oldest and first swords ever discovered

11 March 2023

11 March 2023

The 5,000-year-old swords found 43 years ago during the excavations in the old mud-brick palace structure in Malatya Arslantepe Mound...

Ancient Library With Unparalleled Architecture Found in Stratonikeia, Marble City of Gladiators

24 June 2025

24 June 2025

An ancient marvel, unique in design and history, is being unearthed in the heart of southwest Türkiye. Archaeologists working in...

Archaeologists discover medieval a tableman gaming piece in Bedfordshire, England

26 April 2023

26 April 2023

Archaeologists in Bedfordshire, England, have made an intriguing discovery: a tableman gaming piece was discovered at a medieval site. Cotswold...

Archaeologists discovered a mausoleum dating back to Golden Horde era in Kazakhstan

8 July 2023

8 July 2023

Remains of a mausoleum dating back to the Golden Horde in the 15th century were discovered on the territory of...

In Turkey’s western Uşak province, 2,000-year-old statues have been unearthed

19 December 2021

19 December 2021

During the excavations in the ancient city of Blaundos in the Ulubey district of Uşak, two statues of 2000 years...

Archeologists find a 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey

16 September 2021

16 September 2021

Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old mosaic in central Turkey, which might be one of the world’s oldest. The impressive power...

A 2,000-year-old Roman grave belonging to soldier Flaccus unearthed in Netherlands

9 December 2024

9 December 2024

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old grave from the Roman settlement in Heerlen, Netherlands. The latest analysis has shown that it...

Ancient Egyptian Kohl recipes more diversified than previously thought

28 April 2022

28 April 2022

Researchers analyzed the contents of 11 kohl containers from the Petrie Museum collection in London and have revealed that the...

Well-Preserved Wooden Houses Over 2,000 Years Old Discovered in Zhejiang, China

15 March 2025

15 March 2025

In a remarkable archaeological find, researchers in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, China, have uncovered exceptionally well-preserved wooden houses dating back over...

Hittite Royal Seal Warns ‘Whoever Breaks This Will Die’

7 July 2024

7 July 2024

During the excavations in Kırıkkale, a cuneiform seal used by the royal family during the Hittite Empire was unearthed. The...

Unique ancient Egyptian amulet seal discovered during archeological excavations in northern Turkey

11 November 2022

11 November 2022

During archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Amastris in the Amasra district of northern Turkey’s Bartın, an enchanted amulet...

A well-preserved comb discovered in a 4th-century rare Alemannic chamber grave in Germany

4 September 2024

4 September 2024

During a rescue excavation in the center of the village of Gerstetten, located in the Heidenheim district of southwestern Germany,...