New Traces of the Battle between Romans and Germanic Tribes

Archaeologists present first excavation findings – interim result of 2,000 years Varus Battle

2,000 years Varus Battle; 20 years of archaeological research – and still further indicators of the military clash between Romans and Germanic warriors are being found in Kalkriese. Since the beginning of July 2009, new excavations have taken place at Museum und Park Kalkriese. The first findings of this year's excavation were presented by archaeologist Dr. Susanne Wilbers-Rost on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 in Kalkriese: The wall material used to create an ambush for the Romans has clearly been identified in the ground. Furthermore, the archaeologists uncovered traces of the actual battle and found many indicators for an Iron Age settlement, which was abandoned in the century preceding the Varus Battle. The excavation activities will probably continue until October.

»We carefully examined the course of the wall and were able to prove that the wall existed in this part of the area as well,« explains Dr. Wilbers-Rost, head archaeologist of Varusschlacht im Osnabrücker Land. The dissolved material of the wall is clearly recognizable as a light brown, circa 10 meters wide and about 20 centimeters high band in the soil. The man-made wall has a total length of 400 meters. According to the archaeologists' findings, parts of it already caved in during the battle. In front of the wall, archaeologists unearthed noticeably more artifacts than in other sections of the excavation area, thus confirming the results of earlier examinations.

During the excavation, two Roman horse-gear pendants, coins, numerous shoe nails, metal parts of lances, one fragment of a glass eye, an article which was also used as furniture decoration, have been found, among others. However, the majority of finds includes traces of an Iron Age settlement: the site of a hearth, traces indicating post holes and more than 2,000 shards – the debris of a settlement that was deserted several decades before the Varus Battle. The remains of many trees, which have fallen down in the course of the centuries, are making life difficult for the archaeological team: They pulled out the soil with their roots, thus moving the deepest layers to the surface. Nevertheless, this section is particularly important for archaeologists given its meaning in regards to the battlefield. »We must learn more about the settlement structure of the Germanic people in this region to understand the Romans' marching route,« states Dr. Wilbers-Rost, »but researching it is a long-term affair, because so far little comparable material exists. Comprehensive examinations in different places would be required.«

Many volunteers have helped with the excavation this summer. Among them were 20 young people from different countries, who have been introduced to archaeology at the European excavation camp supported by the Werner-Egerland Trust, and became interested in the history and present situation in today's Europe.

Yet one question has not been answered by this year's excavation at Kalkriese: On which date exactly did Romans and Germanic tribes engage in the pivotal Varus Battle? Neither the day nor the month is known to us. Based on historical sources and scientific findings, it is safe to assume that the Varus Battle took place in fall, yet only this much is certain: It happened in the year 9 AD.