Largest Roman bathhouse in the Netherlands found in Nijmegen

Archaeologists in Nijmegen have unearthed what is believed to be the largest Roman bathhouse ever discovered in the Netherlands. The significant find, located on the site of the ancient Roman city of Ulpia Noviomagus, offers compelling evidence that the settlement remained vibrant well into the third century AD.

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And I've been in the profession for decades.

Erik Verhelst, a 55-year-old archaeologist with decades of experience, described the excavation as one of the most remarkable of his career. The site, established around 100 AD, lies a few hundred meters west of Nijmegen's current city center. Discoveries include numerous coins bearing the image of Emperor Postumus (260-269 AD), reinforcing the timeline of the city's prosperity.

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Drink up

The ongoing excavation, which began last September, involves a team of archaeologists and construction workers operating in close proximity. Advanced techniques like GPS and photogrammetry are being used for precise mapping and documentation, a stark contrast to the manual methods of the 1990s. Among the recovered artifacts are fragments of 'drinking cups' inscribed with Latin phrases like 'Drink up' or 'Health,' as well as pieces of Roman city walls, streets, and hypocaust flooring.

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Health

While many finds, such as a bronze bust of Bacchus, signet rings, and hairpins, capture the imagination, Verhelst also emphasizes the importance of pottery fragments. These often bear stamps from Roman legions, providing accurate dating for buildings and offering insights into the city's infrastructure and daily life. The project aims to preserve these historical remnants while preventing the creation of 'false archaeological sites' from misplaced artifacts.

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If someone takes a bucket of leftover remains, deposits it in the garden, then one can later say: hey, there was a Roman villa here. That is the danger.