Roman road uncovered in Rimburg
Author: Hilde Vanneste, regional archaeologist
Photography: Municipality of Landgraaf
During excavation work on Broekhuizenstraat in Rimburg, municipality of Landgraaf, a Roman road has been uncovered. At this location, the sewer system is currently being replaced. The regional archaeologist had indicated that traces from the past might be found, and therefore the work is being supervised by an archaeologist. During the supervision, archaeologists observed a layer of gravel in the walls of some deeper pits. It turned out to be a Roman road.
Via Belgica
In Rimburg there is a Roman vicus or street village. The vicus of Rimburg lay in the fertile loess region along the road from Cologne to Boulogne sur Mer, the so-called Via Belgica. This Roman road has actually been uncovered at several locations in South Limburg: near Voerendaal, Heerlen and Maastricht. However, the exact route from the vicus of Rimburg towards the vicus of Heerlen (Coriovallum) is still unknown. And it is this road of which archaeologists have now mapped out a new section. Alderman for cultural heritage Ramon Lucassen thinks it is fantastic news: “The road that the archaeologists have now uncovered is perhaps part of the Roman road from Rimburg to Heerlen. Through this discovery, we finally know a little more about the course of this part of the Via Belgica towards the west.”
Through this discovery, we finally know a little more about the course of this part of the Via Belgica towards the west.— Ramon Lucassen
From earlier excavations, archaeologists know what such a Roman road looks like in this part of the Roman Empire. It concerns a hardened, lens-shaped layer of pebbles and loam, 7 to 8 metres wide. In the middle, the road was about 50 to 75 cm thick and sloped down on both sides. This ensured that rainwater drained off the road. It was often repaired, which can be seen in the many different layers that make up the road structure.
The archaeologists have now mapped the discovery and the pits have been closed again. However, the work continues, giving the archaeologists the chance to map the road further. The discovery has no consequences for further work and planning.
