At 25 locations in the gardens of residents and in public green areas, an equal number of one-square-meter pits were dug during the weekend. At a depth of 60 to 120 centimeters lies the street level from Roman times. Archaeologists recognize that level by the composition of the soil layers and often also by remains of Roman origin such as pieces of roof tile or other building material. All pits are located in the Roman part of Heerlen or along the two major roads that crossed near the Thermenmuseum: the Via Belgica (Cologne\u2013Boulogne-sur-Mer) and the Via Traiana (Trier\u2013Xanten).<\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"tekst_foto","tekst":"
\u201cExciting\u201d is the most frequent answer to the question of what it is like for a resident or amateur archaeologist to be allowed to dig into the past. \u201cAnd besides exciting, it\u2019s also fun to do,\u201d says Tim Rams from the pit in his front garden on Laan van H\u00f6vell tot Westerflier. He finds a few pottery shards as a reward for the rather tough digging work. His neighbor Martijn Klinkenberg also takes part. The trigger for him was a visit with his children to the Thermenmuseum. His childhood dream \u2014 \u201cto become an archaeologist, really!\u201d \u2014 is becoming a little bit reality for the economist.\r\nEverywhere, finds or supposed finds are always exciting for the participants: pieces of roof tile, floor tiles, pottery shards, bone fragments, bits of charcoal. And sometimes something from modern times, even down to a ten-cent coin.<\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"tekst_foto","tekst":"
Together with more typical finds such as fragments of roof tiles and pottery, the action \u201cHeel Heerlen graaft\u201d should further complete the picture of Coriovallum (Roman Heerlen). And not only that: the action is part of the project Constructing the Limes. The term \u201climes\u201d refers to the northern border of the Roman Empire, which was formed by the Rhine. Whereas research long focused on a narrow strip along the border, this project now examines the wider frontier region. Who lived there, where did they come from, what did they eat, where was it produced, and with whom did they trade?<\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"tekst","tekst":"