A major archaeological find near the Limmat River in Gebenstorf, Switzerland, is offering fresh insight into the lost Roman complex in the region. What was once believed to be a storage area for goods is now being reinterpreted as a center for administration and governance. The discovery, made during a year-long excavation that ended in May 2025, has shed light on a previously overlooked chapter in Roman expansion north of the Alps.
Led by the Aargau Cantonal Archaeology Department, the rescue dig uncovered a partially constructed Roman settlement close to the Vindonissa legionary base. While the site was never completed, researchers believe it was originally intended to play a key role in local governance and trade.
More than 4,000 architectural features were documented, including floor plans and structural remnants. Over 1,600 artifacts were added to the regional archive, among them 137 Roman coins and tools connected to commerce and administration, including styluses, weights, and measuring instruments.
Evidence of an ambitious Roman development
Three main buildings formed the heart of the site, arranged along the riverbank and believed to date back to the late first century. Archaeologists suggest that members of the Roman 11th Legion may have begun construction during their time stationed nearby.
One of the buildings featured an open walkway lined with columns — an unusual design for Roman structures this far north. Another included a partially sunken hall, similar in layout to Roman public squares. A third and more intricate building contained multiple rooms, corridors, and courtyards, part of which now lies beneath a modern road.
Tobias Kappeler, a lead archaeologist with the Cantonal Archaeology Department, said the layout points to a multifunctional center designed for managing trade, legal matters, and political affairs. Although the development was never finished, the scale and planning reflect Rome’s intent to establish a more permanent presence in the area.
The reasons behind the site’s abandonment remain unclear. Researchers continue to examine whether political changes, military decisions, or natural challenges may have halted progress.
Rare amphora offers clues to Roman diet
A rare, fully intact Roman amphora found at the site is offering new information about the diet of Romans in Switzerland. Most pottery found at Roman digs is fragmented, making this complete vessel a significant find.
The amphora was carefully removed with its contents preserved. Later analysis at the University of Basel uncovered fish bones and scales from young Atlantic sardines, pointing to the import of fish sauce, a common Roman condiment.
The vessel’s clay indicates it may have originated from Baetica — now Andalusia in southern Spain — or possibly from Roman Gaul. Experts date the amphora between 25 and 50 C.E.
This discovery marks the first physical evidence of sardine consumption in Roman-era Switzerland, highlighting the wide reach of Roman trade and the influence of Mediterranean dietary habits deep into central Europe.