Brigetio, Szőny-Stadion Street
legiotábor
Excavation Directors
Dr. Dávid Bartus
Excavation Time
2017-
Period
Roman Era
At the site of the Brigetio legionary camp in Szőny, Stadion Street, based on previous years’ aerial archaeological research, the Department of Ancient Archaeology at Eötvös Loránd University and the Komárom Klapka György Museum conducted excavations over an area of approximately 900 m² during 2017–2018. During these excavations, a large apsidal building was partially uncovered, and earlier phases of the Brigetio legionary camp were identified.
The first phase is connected to the founding of the camp and dates to the early 2nd century AD, evidenced primarily by a mostly black, burnt layer. The second phase, the camp’s main period, revealed a building of at least 700 m² consisting of at least 20 rooms, with standing walls in places, in situ wall paintings on the walls, and several terrazzo floors. The third and fourth phases date to the first half of the 4th century AD, when inhabitants of the neighboring military town moved into the camp and hastily constructed houses replaced earlier camp buildings. The fifth phase, dated to the early 370s AD based on stamped bricks (bearing the names Terentius and Frigeridus dux), revealed massive stone walls that remain largely intact in most places. This representative apsidal building likely functioned as an imperial reception hall and is probably the place where the meeting between Emperor Valentinian I and the envoys of the Quadi took place on November 17, 375, which ended with the emperor’s death. During the sixth phase, part of the building was abandoned, underfloor heating was installed, and it was probably used as a residential building until the end of the Roman period.
The primary goal of the 2019 excavation in the camp was to uncover the northern main gate of the legionary camp, the porta praetoria, and to clarify the location and structure of the via praetoria. Both gate towers and the connecting gate openings rested on massive stone foundations; however, only a few ashlar stones remain in place from the superstructure walls. Therefore, little is known about the towers’ internal structures. Signs of later reconstruction were identified in the western tower, while a massive lime layer was found in the eastern tower, possibly related to a reconstruction or even the tower’s demolition. A section of the stone-paved surface of the via praetoria running through the gate was excavated, along with a segment of the via sagularis, which runs perpendicular and is also partially paved with stone slabs. On the southern excavation area, five bases of the colonnades flanking the via praetoria were discovered, as well as a late Roman lime kiln.
Simultaneously with the excavations, continuous geophysical surveys were conducted in the area, which effectively identified optimal locations for future excavations.
Gallery
Gallery
The 2017 excavation revealed a sensational discovery: a large apsidal stone building. Based on the dating artifacts, it was constructed in the early 370s AD and is very likely identifiable as the location where, according to ancient sources, Emperor Valentinian I suffered a stroke and died on November 17, 375 AD, during negotiations with envoys of the Quadi.
The 2017 excavation revealed a sensational discovery: a large apsidal stone building. Based on the dating artifacts, it was constructed in the early 370s AD and is very likely identifiable as the location where, according to ancient sources, Emperor Valentinian I suffered a stroke and died on November 17, 375 AD, during negotiations with envoys of the Quadi.
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