Linz Castle Museum: Walk in the footsteps of the Romans

A delicate “bunny brooch” as a garment pin, probably for a child. A ring whose filigree inlay work made of glass paste shows Hermes, the messenger of the gods, riding a dolphin: who wore these pieces of jewelry from Roman times remains a mystery of history. Some others, however, were able to get around 30 archeology students from the University of Salzburg who have been visiting Upper Austria every summer since 2021 to work in cooperation with Upper Austria. Landes-Kultur GmbH carries out educational excavations at several locations. Their finds can be admired in three large display cases in the foyer of the Linz Castle Museum until the end of January (free admission).

True-to-life history book

They come from a Roman estate in Königswiesen in the Attergau, from buildings along the main street of Lauriacum/Enns and – the most recent excavation this year – from Thalheim near Wels, where foundations from the first to fourth centuries AD of “a suburban villa with a dream view above Wels” including underfloor heating, says Stefan Traxler. He has been head of the collection for Roman, medieval and modern archeology at Upper Austria since 2013. State Museum and leads the excavations with Felix Lang from the University of Salzburg.

You can also admire a number of coins, completely preserved flat baking dishes, bronze fittings from chests – everyday objects that tell of life in the past. As does the gripping publication “Adventure Latin – Fascination of Archeology” (ALFA, like the working group of the same name: https://alfa-online.at). The 300-page volume also crowns this year’s 20-year collaboration between ARGE Latin and Upper Austria. State museums.

As an interdisciplinary (school) book, the work combines the Roman heritage of Upper Austria with insights into life in the past. From an overview of the province of Noricum (today’s Upper Austria), each chapter illuminates an area: the range extends from the gods to Roman cuisine, crafts, body care, bathing culture to leisure and leisure, enriched by around 600 illustrations. Each chapter builds a bridge to locations in Upper Austria, which are also noted on a large map.

As if by the way, Latin vocabulary and texts for the respective context can be found. “We are really very proud of the volume,” says Stefan Traxler, pointing out the efforts that the team has put into eight years of work.

The excavations with students will continue in Thalheim next summer. “We try to work as non-destructively as possible and to dig in a targeted manner,” says Traxler, referring to the geomagnetic and georadar methods used. The (prospective) archaeologists often find what they are looking for just below the humus layer, where our history rests at a depth of only about 40 centimeters.

Exhibition: The Romans in Upper Austria, foyer of the castle museum, can be seen until January 28th, free entry.

Book tip: Peter Glatz, Andreas Thiel, Stefan Traxler (eds.): “Adventure Latin – Fascination Archeology”, available at the castle museum and on 0732 7720 522 64 or by email: katalogbestellung@ooelkg.at

info By clicking on the icon you can add the keyword to your topics.

info
By clicking on the icon you open your “my topics” page. They have of 15 keywords saved and would have to remove keywords.

info By clicking on the icon you can remove the keyword from your topics.

Add the topic to your topics.