A complete and relatively intact Roman shrine has been excavated in Zevenaar (in the Dutch province of Gelderland). The find is also very exceptional internationally, says the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency. The temple complex is located in Herwen-Hemeling, near Germany. It is located exactly on the Roman limes (the border of the Roman Empire in the Netherlands and UNESCO World Heritage; ed.).
Clay is extracted in the area where the Rhine and Waal rivers split. At the end of 2021, amateur archaeologists made the first finds. They warned the government agency, which halted the work and had experts dig at the site. Remains of temples, votive stones, pits with the remains of sacrifices, painted plaster and idols came to the surface. The finds can be seen in Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen from 24 June.
According to the government service, Roman soldiers from the first to the fourth century prayed to their gods in Herwen-Hemeling. Dozens of votive stones or small altars have been found, dedicated to Hercules Magusanus, Jupiter-Serapis and Mercury. Romans placed votive stones to fulfill a vow. The Romans built two and possibly more temples on an artificial knoll. A well has also been found with a staircase to the water.
The amount of sculpture fragments found is unprecedented, according to the government agency. Many parts of horse harness, weapons and armor have also been extracted from the bottom. The Roman remains are owned by the province of Gelderland.
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