Vindonissa

47.4804648.222051Koordinaten: 47 ° 28 ' 49.7 " N, 8 ° 13' 19.4 " E; CH1903: 659050/259150

Vindonissa ( Celtic * - uindo = " white ") was the name of a military camp of the Romans in the area of ​​today's community Windisch in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Situated at the confluence of the Aare and Reuss, the legion camp controlled major transport connections. Busy it was 14-101 AD succession of three different legions, was then followed by a longer phase in which in the settlement no troops were stationed. After the repulse of an invasion of the Alemanni Vindonissa was part of the castle chain of the Danube -Iller -Rhine- Limes ( Castrum Vindonissense ) and again occupied by the military of about 270 to the 5th century.

History of Research

The Legion warehouse shall be considered from the perspective of research as one of the most important Roman archaeological places north of the Alps. The research and excavation history has here a hundred years of tradition: Since the 19th century, the ancient treasures and scientific knowledge are systematically recovered, collected and restored in excavations. It was not until end of October 2012 was discovered north of the river Aare, another Roman cemetery during construction work. So far, the Aargau Cantonal Archaeological put 35 graves free.

History

Before the arrival of Roman troops there was a Celtic settlement on the tip of the spur between the Aare and Reuss. It was probably after the defeat of the Helvetii at the Battle of Bibracte (58 BC) and was protected by a moat. After the Alpine campaign of Drusus and Tiberius, the Romans occupied in the year 15 BC, the Central Plateau and built smaller bases. One of them was in the strategically important spur between the Aare and Reuss, the Romans took over the fixing of the settlement.

In the year 14 AD when the Romans 15 km away Rhine firmly placed as a new northern border of the empire, they took the camp of Augusta Vindelicorum (now Augsburg -Oberhausen ) on. As a replacement built the 13th Legion ( Legio XIII Gemina which ) the base of Vindonissa to an existing wooden buildings from the Legion camp. From this time, only a few results are obtained, for example, a V-shaped ditch on the north side of the camp and the remains of troop barracks. By 21 AD, a first extension was approved by the West to 30 found a renewed enlargement and displacement of the bearing to the north and east instead.

The 13th Legion moved to 44/45 AD from AD, in their place of Vetera ( near modern Xanten ) coming 21 Legion ( Legio XXI Rapax ) was stationed here. This Legion participated in the sequence before profound structural changes and replaced the wooden buildings by buildings made ​​of stone. From this phase spas, valetudinarium and barracks are known. Also known is the former layout of the camp. It was 21 hectares large, formed an irregular heptagon and was surrounded by a rampart and ditches. South and east of the camp, there was a civilian settlement ( vicus a ), in the southwest lay forum and amphitheater.

Since the 21 Legion had devastated the Helvetic surrounding the troubled Four Emperors in 69 AD, it was replaced by the 11th Legion ( Legio XI Claudia ), which remained in Vindonissa until the final withdrawal of the military. Under Domitian the province of Germania Superior was established, to which also belonged Vindonissa; at the same time the Roman Empire's border was moved north through the conquest of Dekumatlandes. Thus, the position lost military importance. Therefore, the 11th Legion was laid in the year 101 AD by Emperor Trajan on the Danube, there to prepare the campaigns against the Dacians.

By the middle of the 2nd century the camp remained under the administration of the stationed at Strasbourg 8th Legion ( Legio VIII Augusta), which maintained a small outpost here. However, the civilian population took advantage of the time more and more of the camp for their own purposes. In the years 259/260 the Alamanni overran the Upper Germanic - Rhaetian Limes and invaded the Midlands. The Romans evacuated the Dekumatland and could only take about 270 the area around Vindonissa firmly back in their possession. As the frontier was again marked by the Rhine, the place became again a strategic importance and was part of the late antique Danube -Iller -Rhine- Limes. Around 300 the Roman army built here a new fortress, the Castrum Vindonissense that was abandoned sometime after 406.

Buildings

In addition to the buildings in the camp, there is an amphitheater and an aqueduct from the 1st century AD, which is partly still used today. In addition, sanctuaries, the harbor, four cemeteries, a mansio and a very promising fund rubble mounds are known. For this many small finds, among other things, writing tablets, which reveal many details of the life of the crew come.

The 2.4 km long Roman aqueduct from Hausen to Vindonissa feeds the fountains of the Psychiatric Clinic Königsfelden.

Excavation of a pottery on the Roman road to Aventicum and Augusta Raurica (Area Steinacker, near Brugg station )

Wall structure of the replica in Vindonissa Roman barracks

Contubernia

South Gate: Via et Praetoria

Fund finds and whereabouts

In 2012 excavated burial ground were bones and remains of grave monuments and various grave goods, including glass and bronze jewelry, pottery and Salbfläschchen found. They will be shown to the public after the completion of excavation and after preservation and restoration. The exhibition of finds from Vindonissa done in Vindonissa Museum in neighboring Brugg.

Legionnaire's path

Since the summer of 2009 Roman everyday life is mediated along the path Legionnaire Vindonissa on original excavation sites in the municipality of Windisch. Developed by the Canton of Aargau Legionnaires' path is designed as a space of experience in archeology and history. A Roman barracks with Roman tools has been reconstructed on the basis of excavations plans. The main attraction are the Contubernia, two faithfully reconstructed crew quarters, where school classes and other groups "like the Legionnaires' stay. Since the autumn of 2010, the Legionnaires path is affiliated with the Museum Aargau.

Station III: Cloaca Maxima

Station IV: North Gate