In a bustling corner of Aachen’s city center, Germany, amidst the charm of cobblestone streets and historic buildings, lies a hidden piece of history dating back nearly two millennia. Recent excavations conducted as part of a construction project near Pontstrᴀsse and Marktplatz have unveiled remnants of an ancient Roman defensive wall.

The view of the 1,700-year-old Roman wall. Credit: City of Aachen / Stefan Herrmann

Dating back to the 3rd century CE, the discovered wall measures approximately 23 feet long and 3 feet wide. City officials and archaeologists swiftly recognized the significance of the find, attributing it to a larger fortification that once encircled Aachen’s Market Square.

Dr. Donata Kyritz from sk ArcheoConsult, overseeing the excavation, expressed the profound historical significance of the discovery. Joined by Frauke Burgdorff, the city’s building councilor, city archaeologist Andreas Schaub, and Regionetz construction manager Ralf Jansen, the team marveled at the ancient remnants protruding from the earth.

Andreas Schaub said: “For about 140 years, a late Roman fortress was suspected in Aachen, but it wasn’t until between 2011 and 2014 that it was possible to confirm this suspicion and locate the site.” The discovery not only confirms the existence of the ancient fortification but also provides crucial insights into its layout and significance in shaping the city’s development over centuries.

From left: City archaeologist Andreas Schaub, Dr. Donata Kyritz (sk ArcheoConsult), City Building Councilor Frauke Burgdorff, Ann-Kristin Jäger (sk ArcheoConsult), and Regionetz project manager Ralf Jansen. Credit: City of Aachen / Stefan Herrmann

The fortification, believed to have surrounded Aachen’s Market Square, comprised a formidable wall over five meters wide, punctuated by round towers, offering protection and security to the city’s inhabitants. This monumental structure endured for centuries, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, until its eventual dismantlement in the 12th century.

Schaub added: “It is another fragment of our history from Roman times to the Middle Ages. We know that this structure existed until the time of Charlemagne and beyond.” Indeed, Aachen’s history spans epochs, from its Roman origins to its prominence as the capital of Charlemagne’s empire, leaving an indelible mark on the cityscape.

A diagram showing the location of the ancient Roman fort (gray-shaded ring). Credit: City of Aachen / Andreas Schaub

As excavations continue, archaeologists hope to uncover more clues about the fortification’s extent and purpose, piecing together the puzzle of Aachen’s past. The goal is to preserve the current archaeological find as much as possible. Intensive discussions are currently underway for this purpose. After the ᴀssessment and documentation of the archaeological finds, the construction work at the site will continue as planned.