Roman owl fibula found on Danish island

Last summer, archaeologists excavating an Iron Age settlement on the Baltic island of Bornholm, Denmark, unearthed a rare enameled brooch in the shape of an owl. The excavation of the Lavegaard settlement on the outskirts of the town of Nexø was carried out in advance of construction of a daycare center. The archaeological team from …

Elite Roman soldier buried in restraints found in Wales

An unusual burial of a Roman soldier, his iron sword, crossbow fibula and hobnailed shoes attesting to his profession and rank, has been discovered in Wales. He was buried face-down in prone position and large nails were found at the back of his neck, shoulder and between his feet. This atypical posture and the presence …

Metal votive deposits found at Gallo-Roman sanctuary

An excavation in the town of La Chapelle-des-Fougeretz near Rennes in Brittany, northwestern France, has uncovered a large Gallo-Roman sanctuary with numerous metallic votive deposits. A statuette of Mars indicates the sanctuary was dedicated to the god of war, and indeed many of the metal objects found at the site are elements of weapons and …

Hiker stumbles on Roman site high in Bernese Alps

A surprising wealth of Roman artifacts believed to be votive offerings have been unearthed at a remote site high in the Alps in the Bern Canton of Switzerland. It was an intrepid off-piste hiker who discovered the site while climbing the Ammertenhorn peak in the summer of 2020. He came across a Roman bronze coin …

Metal signature of Roman 19th Legion identified at Teutoburg battle site

Using a new chemical analysis method, researchers in Germany have identified the metallurgic signature of the Roman 19th Legion in artifacts recovered from the site of the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in Kalkriese, Germany. Mass spectrometer analysis of non-ferrous metals like bronze and brass can pinpoint the characteristic composition of trace elements in an artifact. …