10 June 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Unveiling a Roman Settlement Beyond the Empire: New Discoveries in Delbrück-Bentfeld, Germany

Recent archaeological excavations in Delbrück-Bentfeld, located in northwestern Germany, have revealed significant evidence of a Roman settlement that existed beyond the borders of the Roman Empire. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the extent of Roman influence in the region and highlights a complex interaction between Roman settlers and local populations.

The site, situated along the Lippe River and approximately 90 miles from the Limes Germanicus—the Roman frontier—was initially thought to be an isolated farmstead discovered in 2017. However, ongoing excavations led by the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) have uncovered three distinct farmsteads, suggesting a much larger settlement that thrived between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.

Among the notable findings is a residential building at the center of a large courtyard, with numerous post holes indicating its structure. Archaeologists have also identified a farmyard to the southwest, where a kiln containing traces of non-ferrous metal was found, hinting at possible jewelry production. This discovery underscores the economic activities that may have taken place in this remote settlement.

A nearly eight-inch-long knife with inlaid brass stripes was discovered buried under the floor of a building. Credit: A. Madziala/LWL
A nearly eight-inch-long knife with inlaid brass stripes was discovered buried under the floor of a building. Credit: A. Madziala/LWL

Dr. Sven Spiong, an archaeologist from the LWL Archaeology Centre, emphasized the importance of the artifacts unearthed during the excavations. Coins and ceramics found at the site will aid in dating the farmsteads, potentially clarifying whether they were occupied simultaneously or if they represented a single farmstead that shifted locations over time. The wooden construction methods of the period often necessitated the abandonment of decaying buildings, leading to the establishment of new structures nearby.

Among the intriguing artifacts discovered is a finely crafted cameo gemstone depicting Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and travel. Additionally, a well-preserved knife adorned with decorative brass stripes was found buried upright, possibly as part of a ritual offering to ward off evil.

The findings in Delbrück-Bentfeld not only shed light on the daily lives of the Romans who settled in this area but also illustrate the cultural exchanges that occurred between the Romans and the indigenous populations. The presence of Roman coins and ceramics, alongside local artifacts, suggests a blending of cultures that enriched the region’s history.

A small gem with a depiction of Mercury. Researchers believe it was once part of a ring. Credit:  A. Madziala/LWL
A small gem with a depiction of Mercury. Researchers believe it was once part of a ring. Credit: A. Madziala/LWL

Local officials, including Delbrück’s mayor, Werner Peitz, have expressed excitement over the discoveries, noting their significance in understanding the past. “These archaeological excavations provide us with a unique glimpse into the past. Every find preserves a piece of history for future generations and brings us closer to the world of our ancestors,” Peitz stated.

As excavations continue, researchers are eager to uncover more about this Roman settlement and its role in the broader narrative of Roman expansion and cultural integration in Germania. The ongoing work promises to reveal further insights into the lives of those who inhabited this remote outpost of the Roman Empire, enriching our understanding of ancient history.

Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe

Cover Image Crediit: Archaeologists excavating a pit at a Roman farmstead in Delbrück-Bentfeld, Germany. S. Spiong/LWL

Related Articles

“Mosaic of the Wine Harvest” mosaic to be exhibited in November in Turkey’s Hatay

26 October 2021

26 October 2021

The mosaic depicting the grape harvest, which is considered to date from the Late Roman period, equivalent to the 5th...

Poseidon Temple in Greece Larger than Previously Assumed

27 January 2024

27 January 2024

New excavations at Kleidi-Samikon in Greece’s Western Peloponnese show that the temple, discovered in 2022, is more monumental than previously...

Archaeologists reveal 4,000-year-old rock-cut tomb, artifacts in Saqqara

8 January 2024

8 January 2024

A team of Egyptian and Japanese archaeologists has unveiled a rock-cut tomb believed to be more than 4,000 years old...

5,700-Year-old Ancient “Chewing Gum” Gives Information About People and Bacteria of the Past

4 April 2021

4 April 2021

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have successfully extracted the complete human genome from “chewing gum” thousands of years ago....

A 2700-year-old collection of more than 60 bronze and iron objects found in Bükk in northwestern Hungary

2 October 2024

2 October 2024

An excavation project led by a university team specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages in Bükk in northwestern Hungary,...

2,300 Years Old First Complete Ancient Celtic Village and Roman Settlement Discovered in Munich

22 October 2023

22 October 2023

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Celtic village and evidence of a smaller Roman settlement in Munich, Germany. The 2,300-year-old Celtic...

A fossilized Neanderthal skeleton unearthed in France may have belonged to a previously undescribed lineage that split from other Neanderthals

12 September 2024

12 September 2024

The fossilized Neanderthal skeleton, discovered in a cave system in the Rhône Valley of France, represents a previously unidentified lineage...

Archaeologists unearth first archaeological evidence about Anatolia’s mysterious Kaska community, sworn enemies of the Hittites

16 January 2025

16 January 2025

In the course of the excavations conducted by Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University‘s Department of Archaeology, artifacts from the Late Bronze...

A Treasure-Laden Burial Chamber Found Hidden Among Terracotta Army

7 June 2024

7 June 2024

Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor of China, and his tomb is renowned for being guarded by an army...

Archaeologists discover one of the largest Phallus Relief Carving of ancient Rome

28 August 2022

28 August 2022

According to an announcement by the region’s local history museum, a large Roman-era relief carving of a phallus has been...

World’s first deepwater archaeological park inaugurated off Xlendi, Malta

10 August 2023

10 August 2023

The world’s first deepwater archaeological park has been inaugurated for divers off the coast of Xlendi in Gozo. This unique...

Archaeologists discovered floor mosaics with early Christian designs in Roman town of Marcianopolis, in Bulgaria

16 January 2024

16 January 2024

Archaeologists discovered floor mosaics with early Christian designs and nearly 800 artifacts in the archaeological reserve of Marcianopolis in Devnya,...

Czech experimental archaeologists successfully completed their 1-month voyage in the Aegean Sea using a replica of a prehistoric vessel

17 July 2023

17 July 2023

Radomír Tichý, an archeology professor at the University of Hradec Králové who is also the director of the Všestary Archeopark,...

Unique tombs wrapped in high-quality fabrics and painted bodies were discovered at monumental temple in Peru

11 March 2023

11 March 2023

Unique tombs wrapped in high-quality fabrics and painted bodies were discovered at the monumental temple in Peru. Located on the...

Luxurious 2,200-year-old King Tomb Discovered in China

3 May 2024

3 May 2024

Archaeologists have unearthed a luxurious 2,200-year-old tomb in eastern China, the largest, highest-ranking, and most structurally complex ever unearthed, which...

OSZAR »