Third century battlefield at Kalefeld

Stories are starting to emerge of a Roman/German battlefield in Kalefeld in Lower Saxony. 600 pieces have already been found. What is exciting is that the site dates to the third century and that it is on the wrong side of the Rhine. After the battle of Teutoburg Forest in AD9, it was presumed that the Romans withdrew to their side of the river. At the moment many of the details are being kept under wraps to protect the site from looters.

I have only seen one English report - The Local, Germany's newspaper in English:

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman battlefield from the third century near Göttingen that will rewrite history, Lower Saxony's department for preservation of historical monuments said on Thursday.

“The find can be dated to the third century and will definitely change the historical perception of that time,” Dr. Henning Haßmann told The Local.

The amazing discovery allows an insight in what must have been a dramatic battle between Romans and Germanic tribes. “The find indicates a massive Roman military presence,” Haßmann said.

So far historians believed that the battle of the Teutoburg Forest, which took place in 9 AD, resulted in the Roman’s Empire withdrawal from Germania without any further attempt to conquer the land beyond the Rhine River again. But the unearthing of the battleground near the village of Kalefeld proves that Rome didn't give up its expansionary ambitions until much later than previously assumed.

Full story here. For German speakers there is more in Spiegel and at the Hamburger Abendblatt. 

Comments

[IHahn]

We'll see what Monday's press conference brings. It sounds a bit outlandish to me. Unless, as the SPiEGEL article opines, Roman weapons might have been used by "Germans."

We used to live on Northeim when I was a small child . . .

[adrianmurdoch]

I still have an open mind. It isn't beyond the realms of possibilities that a Roman military unit might have been in that area, but I agree that the suggestion in the Spiegel appears the more obvious one.

[Gabriele]

According to an article in the Göttinger Tageblatt (Dec. 16), one of the local newpapers, the official presentation of the finds includes mention of several Syrian arrow heads, a Roman horse shoe and other weapons that to me seem to point to a Roman army in the area. Sure, Germans might have used Roman weapons they obtained as booty or by purchase, but not in an amount that would equip an entire troop. The 235 AD campaign of Maximus Thrax is mentioned as possible 'candidate' for the battle, but I think the sources dealing with the time between 180 and 250 AD (pointed at by a medaillon showing Commodus, and a knfe sheath) need to be searched for more possible battles that until now have been located closer to the Limes.

After the finds at Hedemünden, that new Roman presence at my backdoor is really fascinating. I'll keep my eyes open for more information to share on my blog

[adrianmurdoch]

Thanks so much for that.

[Gabriele]

I have two posts about the Kalefeld battlefield, detailing several German newspaper articles, plus some comments, on my blog now.

http://lostfort.blogspot.com

(I listed your blog on my sidebar, btw.)

[adrianmurdoch]

Again thanks - have mentioned your comments in my story today.