Farmers in the Roman Empire

The presence of loess soil for arable farming, marl as building material, and water made this region an attractive place to settle in Roman times. In addition, the Romans built two important roads through the area: the Via Belgica, which connected Maastricht with Heerlen and ultimately the French coast with Cologne, from west to east. And the road from Xanten to Aachen from north to south.

The roads crossed in Coriovallum, present-day Heerlen. Along the roads and on the plateaus stood numerous Roman villae: large farms that met the enormous demand for agricultural products. For the Roman army was large and had no time to produce its own food. The farmers in the area did that.

Besides the wealthy villa owners, ordinary farmers also lived here. Their houses were built of wood and clay, just like the typical half-timbered houses of Limburg. The largest native Roman settlement of South Limburg was excavated nearby: just north of Bocholtz. The settlement was built entirely of wood.

The farmers cultivated grain and bred pigs and cattle, which they sold at the market, also a Roman invention. In return, they received glass bottles, bronze tableware, cloak pins and red glazed pottery. In this way Roman luxury entered the farm households and South Limburg became the granary of the Roman Empire.