Main points
- A previously unknown Roman military camp has been discovered at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Switzerland.
- The find allows historians to more accurately reconstruct the routes of the Roman army through the Alps and confirms the connection to the Battle of Crape Ses.
Lasers reveal forgotten Roman Empire garrison / Unsplash
At dizzying heights where the air becomes thin, researchers have stumbled upon traces of one of the most powerful armies of the ancient world. The find is forcing historians to reconsider the strategy of the Roman legions' advance across the European ridges.
What secrets have the Alps hidden for two millennia?
In the Swiss canton of Graubünden, at an altitude of about 2,200 meters above sea level, researchers have identified a previously unknown Roman military camp. The object is located in the Colm la Runga corridor, which towers over the famous site of the Oberhalbstein battle. This discovery was made possible thanks to the efforts of a volunteer who noticed an unusual relief structure in the fall of 2023 while studying the area using high-precision digital models, writes Popular Mechanics.
To study the object in detail, scientists used LiDAR technology – laser scanning of the earth's surface, which records even minimal height differences and creates a detailed image of the landscape. The data obtained confirmed the presence of artificial fortifications: the top of the hill was protected by three defensive ditches and a rampart with embankments.
The camp remained untouched for 2,000 years due to its difficult-to-reach location.
The strategic choice of location for the fortress is striking in its thoughtfulness. From this point, the soldiers had a perfect view of four key valleys: Landwassertal, Albulatal, Domlesch and Surses.
In addition, the important Lenzerheide mountain pass, which was a heavily trafficked route at the time, was under the full control of the legionaries. This location allowed the Roman garrison to notice any movements of enemy forces in the region in advance.
In August, a group of students from the University of Basel, together with volunteers, conducted field research inside the rampart system. Archaeologists discovered numerous items of military equipment, including shoe nails and lead balls for slings.
The most important piece of evidence was the imprint of the Third Legion seal on metal projectiles. This confirms the camp's direct connection to the Battle of Krap Ses, in which this unit participated. The dating of the artifacts found indicates that the base was operational in 20–10 BC.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of the object yet.
What does this discovery give us?
This discovery is of great importance for world science, as it allows for the reconstruction of the routes of the Roman army's advance through the territory of modern Switzerland with maximum accuracy, writes AOL Media. Now historians can trace the path of the troops from Bergell through the Septimer Pass to the Tiefenkastel area, and from there towards the city of Chur and the Alpine Rhine Valley.