Exploring the dynamics of a Roman sanctuary - Interdisciplinary studies on spatial organisation and depositions of the central sanctuary in Nida-Heddernheim

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Anja Klöckner; Professor Dr. Markus Scholz; Professorin Dr. Astrid Stobbe; Dr. Carsten Wenzel
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 552237669

The civitas capital Nida was one of the most important urban centers in the Limes area. Its society was characterized by an extraordinary cultural pluralism as a result of the high (military) mobility in vicinity of Mainz. In the center of Nida, an almost complete excavation of a sanctuary on an area of about 4000 m2 was carried out in 2016-18 and 2022 using modern excavation techniques and documentation. The findings are coherent and preserved almost undisturbed. Due to its central location, the development of the area is fundamentally linked to the history of Nida and its function as regional center. The sanctuary comprises various, partly multi-phase stone structures within a temenos wall as well as around 70 shafts and ten pits for (ritual) depositions. They overlay wood-earth structures of the (profane) military phase (ca. AD 75-110). The ensemble of building layouts finds no comparison in the Germanic and Gallic provinces. Iupiter Dolichenus, Mercurius Alatheus, Diana, Apollo and Epona are attested by inscriptions and/or figural representations. There is a unique opportunity to holistically evaluate the features and finds with regard to ritual practices and the associated spatial design in a concerted interdisciplinary approach combining the necessary sciences (archaeological sciences as well as archaeozoology and archaeobotany), rendered possible thanks to systematic sampling especially from the shafts and pits. As with the buildings, variations and changes are evident in the (ritual) depositions. They are differently rich in finds and reflect differentiated backfilling processes. This includes conspicuous features of a possible final (ritual?) leveling (clausura?) and possible practices of desacralization in the 2nd half of the 3rd century.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Partner Organisation: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)
• Cooperation Partner: Professorin Dr. Sabine Deschler-Erb