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The Roman fort at Gunzenhausen |
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In 1897, parts of the ramparts and the headquarters’ building of a Roman fort were found next to the church in Gunzenhausen. The fort’s gates were protected by towers and its front faced north towards the Limes. With its size of 86 x 80 m (0,7 ha), Gunzenhausen belongs to the so-called numerus forts: These small fortifications were situated close to the frontier, housing units of 100-120 soldiers (numeri) who were responsible for patrolling the Limes and scouting the territory beyond. At Gunzenhausen, the soldiers’ duty probably included controlling the area where the Limes crossed the river Altmühl about 320 m north of the fort. Evidence of fire as well as a coin hoard (dating after 241/243 A.D.) discovered ca. 400 m east of the fort might be interpreted in connection with the destruction of the fort and its civil settlement (vicus) during German invasions shortly after the mid-third century. |
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