Near the city of Aachen in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, archaeologists have officially confirmed a sensational discovery — traces of four temporary Roman military camps dating back to the 3rd century AD have been found here. The unusual rectangular outlines on the map were first noted by enthusiast Michał Barkowski in 2020. His hypothesis about the possible presence of Roman legionaries in this region was later confirmed by professional archaeologists from the State Office for Heritage Management of Saxony-Anhalt.
This is reported by Finway
Ancient Roman Fortifications in Northern Germany
After thorough archaeological excavations, it turned out that the findings indeed belong to a system of ancient fortifications. The discovery has been a true sensation, as it was previously believed that the Roman army did not advance this far north into modern Germany during this period. According to the research results, all four camps were constructed in the early 3rd century, coinciding with the time of Emperor Caracalla’s military campaign against the Germanic tribes.
Architecture and Artifacts of Roman Camps
The temporary field camps of the Romans, also known as “forts for the night,” were built after each day’s march to protect the legionaries from sudden attacks. These were rectangular structures with rounded corners and gates on each side. Traditionally, the commander’s tent was located in the center, and the camp could accommodate about 300 soldiers. A characteristic feature was the titulum — a special rampart in front of the gates that complicated enemy attacks.
During extensive excavations in 2024–2025, archaeologists discovered over 1500 artifacts, including Roman coins, numerous nails, and bolts. Researchers suggest that these nails were used for the soles of soldiers’ sandals — caligae, which helped legionaries move confidently across various types of terrain during campaigns. Radiocarbon analysis and dating of the found coins confirm the existence of the camps in the early 3rd century AD.
Now historians have physical evidence that the Romans not only controlled the borders but also conducted deep raids to the north, as far as the Elbe River, which was previously only indicated by fragmented written sources.