Ancient grave found on the Roman frontier
Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered the 1,700-year-old grave of a “barbarian” who lived on the frontier of the Roman Empire. The significant find was made during excavations in the village of Gerstetten, roughly 40 miles east of Stuttgart. The grave, dating back to the early fourth century, contains the remains of a man believed to have been part of the Alemanni, a prominent Germanic tribe.
The grave, enclosed in a wooden chamber, was found in a solitary and elevated position, suggesting the man held a prominent status in his community. The burial site yielded an array of grave goods, including ceramic and glass vessels, a small comb, and a high-quality glass cup—possibly traded from the Roman fort of Guntia, located nearby.
Insight into the Alemanni Tribe and Roman interactions
The discovery provides a deeper understanding of the interactions between the Romans and the Germanic tribes they referred to as “barbarians.” These tribes, including the Alemanni, lived beyond the Roman Empire’s borders along the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers. The term “barbarian,” originally Greek in origin, was used by the Romans to describe those who did not adopt their customs or language.
Among the artifacts recovered, the glass cup stands out as a valuable item that indicates cross-cultural trade or exchange with Roman territories. Other grave goods, such as ceramics and personal grooming tools, reveal aspects of daily life and burial customs among the Alemanni.
A key role in the fall of the Roman Empire
The Alemanni, along with other Germanic tribes like the Visigoths and Vandals, would later become instrumental in the downfall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century. This recent find adds to the wealth of archaeological evidence from the Baden-Württemberg region, where many Alemanni graves have been previously uncovered.
Restoration and preservation efforts
The artifacts from the grave have been transported to a restoration workshop in Esslingen, where they will be carefully preserved and studied further, providing invaluable insight into the lives of those who lived during this pivotal period in European history.