Kristina Killgrove is an archaeologist with specialties in ancient human skeletons and science communication. Her academic research has appeared in numerous scientific journals, while her news stories and essays have been published in venues such as Forbes, Mental Floss and Smithsonian. Kristina earned a doctorate in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also holds bachelor's and master's degrees in classical archaeology.\n
In 52 B.C., Julius Caesar used an ingenious system of ditches and stakes to defend his soldiers from an encroaching Gallic army in modern-day central France. More than two millennia later, archaeologists have discovered the first preserved example of similar defensive stakes, which likely protected an ancient silver mine.
A student team made the unprecedented discovery in the area of Bad Ems, halfway between the present-day cities of Bonn and Mainz in Germany, on the former northern border of the Roman Empire. Archaeologists have been working in the area of Bad Ems since the late 19th century. Early excavations yielded processed silver ore along with wall foundations and metal slag, so researchers believed that they comprised smelting works dating to the early second century A.D. But in 2016, a hunter noticed odd crop formations and told archaeologists at Goethe University, who later found that the area hosted a 20-acre double-ditched Roman camp with the remains of around 40 wooden watchtowers.
While Julius Caesar died long before the forts at Bad Ems were set up, his strategy of creating a ditch-and-spike defensive system outlived him. In his book"Gallic Wars ," Caesar wrote about the fortifications he set up in the Battle of Alesia in France in 52 B.C.
In spite of the well-preserved finds at Bad Ems, mysteries remain surrounding the forts' use. The larger fort was never fully completed, and both forts appear to have been purposefully burned down a few years after their construction. Further research is needed to determine whether the researchers' hypothesis about the forts defending silver mines is correct, Markus Scholz , a professor of Roman archaeology at Goethe University, said in a statement .
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A 'political thriller' filled with personal betrayals. The inside story of the Super League and the war for soccer's soul | CNNBetrayal has formed part of European politics since polities started forming -- just ask Julius Caesar, who asked 'Et tu Brute?' as his friend stabbed him for the good of the Roman Republic.
Read more »
Knicks deliver statement with stifling win over NBA-best CelticsJulius Randle and Immanuel Quickley scored 23 points apiece and Jalen Brunson netted 16.
Read more »
If You Suck At Quiet Meditation, a Sound Bath May Be the SolutionEveryone from seasoned meditation experts to self-care newbies are trying them out as a way to chill and relieve anxiety.
Read more »
The ancient sport of falconry is alive and well in UtahHumans have been training birds of prey to hunt with them for over 5,000 years — and around 375 falconers now call Utah home.
Read more »
The mystery of London's elusive Roman amphitheaterSince the late 1800s, archaeologists have uncovered ruins of sophisticated structures from the Roman era throughout the modern-day city. But where was the amphitheater? For more than a century, archaeologists failed to find any trace
Read more »
Alison Roman’s New Cookbook ‘Sweet Enough’ Shoots to Top of Bestseller ListsAlison Roman is not a typical celebrity, but in certain circles in New York and Los Angeles, she elicits the types of reactions usually reserved for A-listers. Her relatively niche but loyal follow…
Read more »