‘Exceptionally large’ Roman building discovered in Switzerland
Archaeologists have unearthed a Roman building in south-western Switzerland whose dimensions and method of construction have never been seen in the region.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/jdp
Português
pt
Construção romana “excepcionalmente grande’ descoberta no Valais
Cantonal authorities announced the discovery on Tuesday, adding that the building found in Glis in canton Valais was nine metres wide and had mortar walls. Researchers estimate it was built between the 3rd and 5th centuries based on shards of ceramic vessels imported from Northern Gaul.
This is the second Roman building exhibiting these types of walls found in that part of the canton. The first was a small, sacred building in the neighbouring village of Gamsen.
The excavations were made in connection with the construction of a rental building and underground garage. In the process, archaeologists discovered several buildings from the Roman period on an area of 800 square metres.
“This building, of exceptional size for the period, extends outside the area concerned by the excavations,” the canton said in a statement.
More
More
Facing up to Switzerland’s Roman past
This content was published on
Meet Adelasius Ebalchus. He lived in what is now northern Switzerland some 1,300 years ago, centuries after the collapse of the Roman Empire.
The researchers are trying to excavate another building of more than 40 square metres that has dry-stone walls, as well as a clay and wood building and a kiln that was used for limestone production. They suspect that these buildings belonged to a small agricultural and craft settlement.
The canton said this latest finding was a testament to the major influence the Roman Empire had on the region that had been unknown until now. “This site could be the missing link to understanding the history of settlement in the Upper Valais,” it said.
More
More
Discovering Switzerland’s buried treasure
This content was published on
From gold pendants and bronze hands to coin-filled jugs, X marks the spot of some of the most significant recent finds.
Young undocumented migrants gain easier access to vocational training
This content was published on
Rejected asylum-seekers and young undocumented migrants in Switzerland will have easier access to basic vocational training from June 1.
Migration: Swiss government wants to shorten reunification period for families
This content was published on
Family members of people temporarily admitted to Switzerland should in future be able to join them after two years instead of three.
This content was published on
2023 was a record year for the Rhaetian Railway in several respects. Never before has the narrow-gauge railway in Graubünden, eastern Switzerland, transported so many passengers and cars.
Swiss CFOs much more optimistic despite global uncertainty
This content was published on
The main concerns of business leaders in Switzerland are geopolitical uncertainty and the important trading partners Germany and China.
Record organ donation in Switzerland despite high rejection rates
This content was published on
More organ donations were recorded in Switzerland in 2023 than ever before. This was despite a high rejection rate of 58% by surviving relatives.
This content was published on
Seven years after the death of record-breaking Swiss mountain climber Ueli Steck, his estate is going to the Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Standing stones uncovered near important archaeological site
This content was published on
Six aligned standing stones have been discovered on a building site in Sion, southwest Switzerland, in what authorities call an important find.
Switzerland’s hidden treasure trove of Roman mosaics
This content was published on
The small town of Orbe is home to the largest and most beautiful collection of Roman mosaics north of the Alps. Where are the visitors?
This content was published on
Some 270 precious items including silver platters, dishes, utensils and coins, are on show amid tight security at the Museum of the Roman town of Augusta Raurica, in Basel. Weighing 58 kg in total, it is the largest collection of Late Antique silver ever to have been discovered, and conveys a dazzling image of the…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.