In the historic center of the German city of Cologne, rare Roman remains dating back some two millennia have been discovered at the site of a future archaeological museum. Excavations are underway to prepare the museum's underground route, and thanks to this work, experts have found objects in normal conditions that have rarely been preserved to this day, the city culture office reported in the Stadt Köln Presseservice magazine.
One of the most impressive discoveries was the base of the apse (altar part) of a 4th-century Roman basilica, the height of which reached 4 meters. This building element was preserved in this form only due to the characteristics of the soil and the fact that it was buried under later embankments in ancient times. Until work was carried out on the site of today's market square, the fragment remained hidden – only a small indentation on the surface could hint at its presence.
In addition, archaeologists also found stairs from the 1st century AD. BC, which connects the lower level of the old city with the higher part of the administrative complex – believed to be the palace of the Roman ruler. Such stairs are rare because such structures often collapse completely under the pressure of later developments.
The discovery of a 2nd-century family altar, intended to worship the spirits protecting the home, stands out separately. Traces of the original painting and nail holes were found in the niche, where garlands and ornaments could have been hung. Such places of worship are extremely rare – north of the Alps, comparable objects are known mainly from cities such as Pompeii.
All these findings give archaeologists a unique opportunity to better understand the structure and life of the Roman colony on the territory of modern Germany. The artifacts are currently in the process of being researched and partially restored, after which they will become part of the display of the new underground museum.
Previously, archaeologists discovered in Panama, at the site of El Cano in the Nata region, a tomb more than a thousand years old (800-1000 AD), containing the remains of a person of high social status along with gold jewelry – bracelets, earrings and pectoral ornaments with images of bats and crocodiles, as well as ceramics with traditional motifs. The discovery was made in an area where excavations of pre-Hispanic cultures have been going on for two decades, about 200 kilometers southwest of Panama City.
