Enigmatic discovery: Römerkastell appeared in Lower Austria!

Enigmatic discovery: Römerkastell appeared in Lower Austria!

Carnuntum, Österreich - On April 14, 2025, an important archaeological find was discovered in the Danube meadows of Lower Austria. A Roman bridge head Castle, which was demonstrated by researchers from the Austrian Archaeological Institute (ÖAW) and the Archaeological Park Carnuntum, emphasizes the strategic importance of the region. This discovery is shown by the role of Bernsteinstrasse, which led from the Baltic States to Carnuntum to the Roman Empire and thus served as an important trade route. It should be noted that the fort is part of the Austrian Danubeime, which was appointed World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2021.

It is particularly noteworthy that until this proof, only the fort Iža-Leányvár in Slovakia was known as a comparable system. Historical records indicate that there was no fixed bridge in Carnuntum for a long time; Instead, ferry services were used until the 17th and 18th centuries. The walls of the "Dress Castle", the site, were examined around 1850 and suggested the strategic planning of the Roman military architecture.

archaeological finds and construction phases

As part of the excavations in the Hainburger Au, well -preserved wall structures were discovered, some of them up to 2.65 meters high. The fort was built in two construction phases, which lies around 170/180 AD and around 260 AD. The extensive archaeological finds, which include stamped bricks, coins, ceramics and bronze small finds, underpin the strategic role that Carnuntum held in the Roman military system. The analysis of this finds is currently being continued and should provide new insights into the Roman past in Austria.

The excavations that were carried out in 2024 were taken into account, taking into account nature conservation law requirements. In addition, sediment samples were taken in cooperation with the University of Natural Research (BOKU) and the University of Vienna to further understand the dynamics of the Danube and the geological development of the region.

Donaulimes and its meaning

The Danubeime, which extends from the Danube source in Germany to the Black Sea, was a central part of the Roman Empire. This system of border fortifications granted the Roman Empire military, political and economic stability. The Limes was not designed as an impermeable barrier, but designed as a "loose chain" of fastenings, with intervals of 10 to 30 kilometers. This strategy not only promoted the trade in Germanic tribes and Iranian sarmats in peace, but also led to the creation of larger civil cities and the spread of Roman culture.

Austria contributes to the transnational world heritage of the Danube with a variety of sites. These include a total of 22 components that extend over the Roman provinces of Noricum and Pannonia. Important sites in Austria are located in Upper Austria, Lower Austria and Vienna, including the archaeologically rich Carnuntum. Here, in the heart of Roman military history, the cultural and historical importance of this region is reflected.

The recent discoveries on the "barle of closeness" underline the appreciation of these historical sites and the need for their preservation for future generations.

Further information is in the articles of noe.gv.at href = "https://noe.orf.at/magazin/stories/3300791/"> noe.orf.at and Unesco.at to be found.