Archaeologists have unearthed over 100 fragments of a votive monument during excavations at the Roman Open-Air Museum in Hechingen-Stein.
The museum exhibits the remains of a villa rustica, a large agricultural complex that included the pars urbana (the main residence of the landowner) and the pars rustica, which encompassed the broader farm estate.
The complex dates from the 2nd to 3rd centuries AD and was first discovered in 1973 by the mayor of Stein, Gerd Schollian. Excavations commenced in 1978 by the Tübingen branch of the monument office which revealed the main buildings and the baths.
Since 1992, ongoing annual excavations have gradually uncovered more of the estate, revealing additional farm buildings and surrounding walls.
During the latest season of excavations by the State Office for Monument Preservation (LAD) within the Stuttgart Regional Council, together with the Hechingen-Stein Roman Open-Air Museum Association, archaeologists have unearthed more than 100 fragments with depictions of Roman deities that formed a large votive monument.
“The monument originally comprised of several stacked stone blocks,” said Dr. Klaus Kortüm from LAD. “Each block is adorned with reliefs on all sides, showcasing gods and figures from ancient legends. After the Roman era, the monument was broken down into large and small fragments, which were then dispersed.”
To aid in a restoration of the monument, archaeologists created scaled-down replicas of the fragments using 3D printing, which will then be assembled to create a visual model.
According to the archaeologists, questions remain as to who commission the moment, and what was the occasion for its dedication.
Header Image Credit : Baden-Wurttemberg
Sources : Baden-Wurttemberg
