Burgus Bölcske

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Burgus Bölcske
(Burgus Annamatia 12)
limes Pannonian Limes
section 7th
Dating (occupancy) End of Constantine ( Constantius II. ) Or Valentine
up to the end of the 4th or beginning of the 5th century
Type Ländeburgus
unit unknown
size can no longer be determined
Construction stone
State of preservation A debris field lying under water.
place Bölcske
Geographical location 46 ° 44 '29.6 "  N , 18 ° 59' 3.1"  E
height 89  m
Previous Annamatia Castle (north)
Subsequently Lussonium Fort (southwest)
The location of the Ländeburgus on the Lower Pannonian Danube Limes.

The burgus Bölcske was a Roman Ländeburgus whose crew in late antiquity a river crossing on the Pannonian Danube limes secured. The facility, which largely fell victim to fluvial erosion , is now located in the middle of the river in the municipality of Bölcske , a Hungarian village in Tolna County . The Burgus received its special importance from the unusually large number of valuable spoils with often informative inscriptions, which were used from a wider area to build the fortification.

location

In antiquity, the Burgus was located on the west bank of the Danube floodplains, which were widely ramified in antiquity and were partly swampy. The Limes and trade route ran from the Baracspuszta fort ( Annamatia ) to the Lussonium fort further south in an almost north-south direction. The river, on the other hand, described an arch arched to the east between these two forts, on which Bölcske lay. Therefore, the Burgus must have been connected to the main road by a separate junction. As the underwater archeological investigations made clear, there was an elongated gravel bank on the western bank of the Danube in prehistoric times, which ran along the then eastern main arm of the river and offered favorable opportunities for a river crossing. As shown by sickles from the late Bronze Age and Iron Age copper vessels found there , the passage was used even before the arrival of the Romans and - corresponding to many other passable places on the Danube - secured with a state castle in late antiquity. Small Roman finds from the time of this fortification could be proven as well as silver buckles from the 5th century AD and belt fittings from the Avar period . In the course of river regulation and a slight shift in the river, the west bank eroded. This pushed the Danube over the area of ​​the weir system. The current, the ice drifts during the snowmelt and especially the winter free blasting of the fairway in the 1930s contributed to the further destruction. The Burgus von Bölcske once owned a counter-fortress on the eastern bank, which was already part of the Barbaricum , but was almost completely destroyed when the bank was fortified with a dam in the course of the canalisation.

Research history

The facility, which today can only be accessed through underwater archeology , was referred to in local lore as the remains of a medieval church. Its ruins used to be seen when the water level was low and were recorded on the navigation maps as the Bölcske shoal . Flóris Rómer (1815–1889), the pioneer of Hungarian archaeological research, first mentioned the facility in 1868. He documented that the inhabitants of Bölcske used the low water to break stone arches and marble architectural elements from the remains of the wall. Some inscriptions were acquired in the 19th century by local people who were enthusiastic about antiquity, such as László Nagy from Szent András-puszta near Paks , and were able to be published.

The first modern finds were made during a dive that took place in 1973 in connection with the accident of a Romanian barge at this point. The diver, who brought a late antique brick temple with the brand OF ARN MAXENTI AR to the surface, reported about an extensive field of stone and scree in the middle of the Danube, which followed the direction of the river in a north-south direction. Well-known brick stamps of the Legio X Gemina stationed in Vindobona ( Vienna ) from the 4th century had provided evidence of the Roman origin of the complex, but many questions remained unanswered. In 1983 the archaeologists Attila Gaál and Mihály Kőhegyi tried to determine the extent of the rubble with the help of a survey ship. They were able to limit the area to an area of ​​60 to 80 meters long and 30 to 40 meters wide. Systematic investigations of the site began in October 1986 when the water level was exceptionally low. At that time, eight Roman altar stones were recovered from the top layer of the shoal with the help of a floating crane, each of which weighed around 1 to 1.5 tons. Other finds from this action were some limestone bases from altars and a large relief fragment depicting the god of war Mars . It could be seen from each of the stones that they were reused workpieces that had been repurposed to build the Burgus. The stone carvers had chopped off all protruding edges of the altars in order to prepare them as masonry stones. In the years that followed, a stationary platform for divers was built in the Danube and research on the basis of underwater archeology was continued. By 2003 a total of about fifty stone altars and steles with inscriptions had been recovered. As early as 1990, the archaeologist Sándor Soproni (1926–1995) - without the stamped bricks found - counted a total of more than 60 spolia. The pieces could all be assigned to the 2nd to 3rd century. Sonar surveys carried out in 2010 showed that the remains of the building are still intact.

Building history

The Verőcemaros-Dunamező Ländeburgus after the excavations in 1934.

The facility protecting the river crossing was built in the 4th century AD. At this point the course of the Danube branched out into many smaller branches. Most of the salvaged altars and steles came from the northwest and southwest corners of the rubble area. The archaeologists suspect there was a watchtower flanking the rectangular core of a Burgus of the Verőcemaros-Dunamező type . Also from the area of ​​the north-west corner, but also from the center of the fortification, came some spolia that had been taken from settlements between Bölcske and Aquincum. Due to the extensive destruction of the structure, its original dimensions can no longer be determined.

Finds

The Jupiter-Teutanus altar stones

The first eight altar stones, brought ashore in October 1986, had a few things in common besides their high quality workmanship. They were all brought here from the area of ​​the Civitas Eraviscorum . During the subsequent dives after 1986, more Jupiter-Teutanus altar stones came to light. The Eravisker , a late Celtic people , had their settlement areas in the area around Aquincum ( Budapest ). On Budapest's Gellértberg , which the Romans probably called Mons Teutanus , was the former headquarters of the Eraviski. Their traces can be traced there until after the middle of the 3rd century. Another common feature of the altars was the fact that they were all consecrated to Iuppiter Optimus Maximus (IOM - Jupiter , the best, greatest) on June 11th in different years. The stones, which are up to 2.2 meters high, were originally set annually by the Duoviri of Aquincumer Colonia on the official feast days of the Celtic god Teutanus , who was described as Iuppiter Optimus Maximus . In addition to honoring the reigning emperor, the inscriptions were also used to protect the Civitas Eraviscorum . On all stones - they came from the 2nd and 3rd centuries - the emperor names of the Damnatio memoriae had fallen victim and were chiseled out. In Aquincum, two altar stones similar to those that were carried to Bölcske until 2003 from the fortified oppidum Eraviscorum have become known in situ . In late antiquity this cult - similar to the culture of the Eravisker - was obviously extinct and the stones that were no longer needed were used for other purposes.

Brick stamp

The stamps found, the total number of which is unfortunately not known, as only the types were published in the past, can be divided into two groups. The first belongs to the OF ARN type . This includes:

  • OF AR BONO MAG (until 2003: 16 pieces)
  • OF ARN MAXENTI ARP (up to 2003 7 variants of this stamp from Bölcske were known)

There were also valentine stamps of the Legio X Gemina (10th Legion, the twins ) barracked in Vindobona ( Vienna ):

  • LEG X VIND MAG MAXENTI,
  • LEG X MAG MAXENTI ,
  • LEG XG MAG DALMATIVS ,
  • LEG XG GG SATVRNINVS and
  • LEG X GG VRSICINI CENT .

The legionary bricks with the aforementioned Magistri figlinarum Dalmatius, Saturnius and Ursicinus completely match the specimens from the northern Hungarian bridgehead Dunakeszi and from the never completed fortress Göd-Bócsaújtelep . The archaeologist Zsolt Mráv therefore assumed that building commands of the Vienna Legion were working on all three fortifications. In contrast, the legionary bricks of the Magister Maxentius in the stamp variant found here were not discovered in any other Ländeburgus in the late Roman province of Valeria until 2003 . The resolution of the abbreviations on these stamps is as follows: Leg (ionis) X Vind (obonensis) mag (istri) Maxenti (i) - the 10th Viennese Legion of Magister Maxentius and Leg (ionis) X mag (istri) Maxenti (i) - the 10th legion of the Magister Maxentius . Until then, the stamp variant LEG XG MAG MAXE or LEG XG MAG MAXENTI from Göd-Bócsaújtelep found in Vienna was known : (Leg (io) XG (emina) mag (ister) Maxe (ntius)) - 10 Legion Gemina, Magister Maxentius .

The stamps of the OF ARN group (uncertain resolution of the letters to: Officinae auxiliares ripenses ) can be dated to the time of the reign of Emperors Constantius II (337–361) and Valentinian I (364–375). Since the stamp abbreviations AR , ARN and ARAN cannot be clearly explained for the time being, the previous translation suggestions remain speculative. According to the epigrapher Barnabás Lőrincz (1951–2012), the OF ARN brick stamps of Maxentius were made between 351 and 354 AD. Other research results, which analyzed the brick stamps of this person in the provinces of Pannonia I and Valeria as well as in the neighboring Barbaricum , place the appearance of these stamps either at the end of the 50s of the 4th century or in the last years of Valentinian I. A first mention of the master's name Bonus, on the other hand, already happened at the end of the era of Constantius II or also in the following Valentine epoch.

milestone

A milestone from Bölcske from the reign of Emperor Marcus Opellius Severus Macrinus (217-218), which refers to the restoration of the roads and bridges on this route, counts 66 Roman miles to Aquincum and names the then Lower Pannonian governor Aelius Triccianus . The existence of this stone in Bölcske also shows that the place was connected to the trunk road network.

Burial ground

The Roman burial ground in the local area of ​​Bölcske was already known to the archaeologist Mór Wosinsky (1854–1907). Modern investigations were carried out during a rescue excavation in 1955 by the archaeologist Eszter B. Vágó , which however had to be limited to a few burial sites. In the course of her research, she was able to find a reconstructable nailed octagonal board coffin for the first time in Pannonia. A bone crucible contained resin for cosmetic purposes, next to it bronze arm rings, a clay bowl and a drinking glass were recovered. According to the evidence of coins from Constantine the Great (306–337) to Julian (360–363) as well as other finds, the useful life of the cemetery can be limited to the middle third of the 4th century AD.

Ländeburgus Harta-Káli-major (Burgus Annamatia 17)

The Burgus Bölcske had - as usual - a corresponding facility on the opposite side of the Danube in the Barbaricum . Soproni found their remains on the bank of Kali major, which lies in the western border area of ​​the municipality of Harta. Large parts of the system had already been undercut and washed away by the side erosion of the river. The archaeologists probed quantities of Roman bricks, chunks of mortar, post pits and a torso of Hercules .

Lost property

Some inscriptions and reliefs were given to the "Wosinsky Mór Múzeum" in Szekszárd . The majority of the extraordinary underwater finds can now be viewed in a small museum on the cemetery grounds of Bölcske, which the municipality had built especially for this purpose.

Monument protection

The monuments of Hungary are protected under the Act No. LXIV of 2001 by being entered in the register of monuments. The Burgus von Bölcske as well as all other Limes facilities belong to the nationally valuable cultural property as archaeological sites according to § 3.1. According to § 2.1, all finds are state property, regardless of where they are found. Violations of the export regulations are considered a criminal offense or a crime and are punished with imprisonment for up to three years.

See also

literature

  • Barnabás Lőrincz: The brick stamps of the Bölcske shipyard. In: Ádám Szabó , Endre Tóth (ed.): Bölcske. Roman inscriptions and finds - In memoriam Sándor Soproni (1926-1995) Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9046-83-9 , p. 77 ff. (Libelli archaeologici Ser. Nov. No. II).
  • Attila Gaál, Géza Szabó: A late Roman fortress in the Danube bed near Bölcske. In Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae 1990. Budapest 1991, pp. 127-131.
  • Sándor Soproni : A late Roman fortress in the Danube bed near Bölcske. In: VA Maxfield, MJ Dobson (Ed.): Roman Frontier Studies 1989. XVth International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies. University of Exeter Press, Exeter 1991, pp. 257-258.
  • Sándor Soproni: Előzetes jelentés a bölcskei késő római ellenerőd kutatásáról. (Preliminary report on the research into the late Roman counter-fortress in Bölcske.) In: Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae . 1990, pp. 133-142.
  • Endre Tóth : The topographical location of the ruins of Bölcske and their purpose. In: Ádám Szabó, Endre Tóth (ed.): Bölcske. Roman inscriptions and finds - In memoriam Sándor Soproni (1926-1995) . Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9046-83-9 , pp. 5-10 (Libelli archaeologici Ser. Nov. No. II).
  • Endre Tóth: The stone monuments of Bölcske. In: Ádám Szabó, Endre Tóth (ed.): Bölcske. Roman inscriptions and finds - In memoriam Sándor Soproni (1926-1995) . Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9046-83-9 , pp. 103-218 (Libelli archaeologici Ser. Nov. No. II).
  • Ezster B. Vágó: Late Roman graves in Intercisa and in Bölcske. In: Archaeologiai Értesítő 88. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1961, p. 272.

Remarks

  1. a b c d e f g Attila Gaál: Bölcske fortlet. In: Zsolt Visy (ed.): The Roman army in Pannonia. Teleki Lázló Foundation 2003, ISBN 963-86388-2-6 , p. 176.
  2. ^ Géza Szabó: A "bölcskei sziklák" és a magyarországi víz alatti régészeti kutatások kezdetei. In: Géza Szabó (ed.): Múlt és jelen Bölcskén. Bölcskei tanulmányok 1. Bölcske Községi Önkormányzat Képviselő-testülete, Bölcske 1994, ISBN 963-03-3811-4 , pp. 115–128, here: p. 115.
  3. a b Attila Gaál: Bölcske fortlet. In: Zsolt Visy (ed.): The Roman army in Pannonia. Teleki Lázló Foundation 2003, ISBN 963-86388-2-6 , p. 175.
  4. ZB: Alice Sz. Burger , Ferenc Fülep : Area between the Drau and the Limes route Lussonium-Altinum. In the series: The Roman Inscriptions of Hungary (RIU) Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1984, p. 90.
  5. ^ Attila Gaál, Géza Szabó: A late Roman fortress in the Danube bed near Bölcske. In Communicationes. Archaeologicae Hungariae 1990. Budapest 1991, pp. 127-131, here: p. 130.
  6. ^ Attila Gaál, Géza Szabó: A late Roman fortress in the Danube bed near Bölcske. In Communicationes. Archaeologicae Hungariae 1990. Budapest 1991, pp. 127-131, here: p. 130.
  7. a b Sándor Soproni: Előzetes jelentés a bölcskei késő római ellenerőd kutatásáról. (Preliminary report on the research into the late Roman counter-fortress in Bölcske.) In: Communicationes Archaeologicae Hungariae 1990 . Budapest 1991, pp. 133-142, here: p. 142.
  8. ^ Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Ripa Pannonica in Hungary (RPH), Nomination Statement, Vol. 2 , National Office of Cultural Heritage, Budapest 2011, p. 93.
  9. ^ Attila Gaál: Bölcske fortlet. In: Zsolt Visy (ed.): The Roman army in Pannonia. Teleki Lázló Foundation 2003, ISBN 963-86388-2-6 , p. 173.
  10. ^ Zsolt Mráv: Castellum contra Tautantum. To identify a late Roman fortress. In: Ádám Szabó , Endre Tóth: Bölcske. Roman inscriptions and finds - In memoriam Sándor Soproni (1926-1995) Libelli archaeologici Ser. Nov. No. II. Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9046-83-9 , p. 354.
  11. Klára Póczy : Iuppiter Optimus Maximus Teutanus Aquincumban In: Attila Gaál (ed.): Pannoniai kutatások. A Soproni Sándor emlékkonferencia elöadásai 1998. October 7th Szekszárd 1999, pp. 201-223.
  12. a b c Barnabás Lőrincz: The brick stamps of the Bölcske shipyard. In: Ádám Szabó, Endre Tóth (ed.): Bölcske. Roman inscriptions and finds - In memoriam Sándor Soproni (1926-1995) Libelli archaeologici Ser. Nov. No. II. Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 2003, ISBN 963-9046-83-9 , p. 77 ff., Here: p. 80.
  13. AE 1991, 01323a .
  14. AE 1991, 01323b .
  15. AE 1991, 01323c .
  16. AE 1991, 01323d .
  17. AE 1991, 01323f .
  18. AE 1991, 01323e .
  19. a b Zsolt Mráv: Archaeological research 2000–2001 in the area of ​​the late Roman fortress of Göd-Bócsaújtelep (preliminary report) 2002. In: Communicationes archeologicae Hungariae 2003. Népművelési Propaganda Iroda. Budapest 2003, pp. 83-114; here: p. 105.
  20. ^ Géza Szabó: A "bölcskei sziklák" és a magyarországi víz alatti régészeti kutatások kezdetei. In: Géza Szabó (ed.): Múlt és jelen Bölcskén. Bölcskei tanulmányok 1. Bölcske Községi Önkormányzat Képviselő-testülete, Bölcske 1994. ISBN 963-03-3811-4 . Pp. 115-128.
  21. ^ Alfred Neumann: Bricks from Vindobona. In the series: The Roman Limes in Austria. Volume 27. Publishing house of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna 1973. P. 38 and 97.
  22. ^ Translation: "Administration of the Border Troops". According to Titus Kolník: Cifer-Pác - a late Roman station in Quadenland? In: Jenő Fitz (ed.): Limes. Files of the XI. International Limes Congress (Székesfehérvár, 30.8–6.9.1976). Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1977, ISBN 963-05-1301-3 , p. 187.
  23. ^ Barnabás Lőrincz: A későrómai hídfőállások bélyeges téglái Valeriában. In: Attila Gaál (Ed.): Pannoniai kutatások. A Soproni Sándor emlékkonferencia előadásai (Bölcske, 1998. October 7th) . Szekszárd 1999, pp. 53-68, footnote 12.
  24. ^ András Graf: Overview of the ancient geography of Pannonia. Dissertationes Pannonicae I 5, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest 1936, p. 107.
  25. CIL 03, 10644 .
  26. ^ Eszter B. Vágó, István Bóna: The late Roman southeast cemetery. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1976, p. 143.
  27. Ezster B. Vágó: Late Roman graves in Intercisa and Bölcske. In: Archaeologiai Értesítő "88. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 1961, p. 272.
  28. ^ Zsolt Visy: The ripa Pannonica in Hungary. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest 2003, ISBN 9630579804 , p. 91.