Archaeologists excavating a terp near Adorp a few kilometers north of the city of Groningen, have found an ancient Roman fibula.
At the end of every working day, the archaeologists report their most recent special find. Last Friday, August 6, they showed the found fibula in the photo above. It is an Alesia Fibula, which was mainly worn by soldiers in the Roman army at the time of the emperor Augustus.
The discovery of these Roman objects is remarkable, since the northern Netherlands was not part of the Roman Empire. As the GIC reports, these findings show that there were intensive contacts between the former inhabitants of the mound and parts of the Roman Empire.
A fibula is a historical functional and decorative item that was used as a closing pin for clothing. They consist of a brace, which can have all kinds of shapes, and a needle inserted through the fabric of the clothing. The connection between the two is formed by a spiral, spring roller, or hinge.
Commissioned by BAM Infra and the Province of Groningen, MUG Ingenieursbureau is carrying out archaeological research in a terp directly north of Adorp. The terp functioned as a pasture for about 1850 years after it was initially abandoned, during the period in which the Roman empire reigned. This has resulted in an exceptionally large number of finds and a wealth of scientific knowledge, MUG reports.
The archaeological research is being done in order to the make way for the construction of a cycle route between Winsum and Groningen. In addition to a bicycle path, a waterway will also be constructed that cuts right through the existing mound and where the existing archeology must be safeguarded.
