Archaeological, geoarchaeological and geophysical investigations on changes of the fluvial system by the Romans between Odenwald and the River Rhine along the modern Landgraben (Hessisches Ried) - LANDGRABEN -

• Applicants: Thomas Becker; Professor Dr. Udo Recker; Professor Dr. Markus Scholz; Professor Dr. Andreas Vött; Dr. Dennis Wilken
• Subject Area: Classical, Roman, Christian and Islamic Archaeology
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491982391

Waterways play an important role in the Roman provinces. Besides large rivers, smaller navigable waterways are especially relevant for the development of new territories without existing infrastructure. Within the framework of the LANDGRABEN project, we intend to reconstruct changes of the watercourse system by the Romans along the Landgraben in the Hessisches Ried, a border region of the Roman Empire, for the time between Christ’s birth and the 5th cent. AD. Hereby, the focus will be laid on the redirection of creeks and rivers, the reactivation of dead fluvial systems as well as the construction of channels, several kilometers long, and of fortified landing places. The Landgraben is the most significant watercourse in the northern part of the Hessisches Ried. It offers ideal conditions to determine the economic right of use as well as military strategy plans of the Romans based on the way how they manipulated local watercourses and to seize related effects for medieval and modern times.We plan to test archaeological and geoarchaeological hypotheses in nine focus areas between where the Landgraben meets the Altneckar lowlands and close to where it flows into the River Rhine based on remains of Roman settlements and military camps. The focus will be laid on the reconstruction of the river course and the significance of the Roman Landgraben as direct connection path between the Odenwald and the River Rhine. On a concrete level, we will test the hypotheses that (i) the Romans intentionally modified the fluvial system by reactivating dead river arms and constructing channels, (ii) such measures were part of a planned structurization of the transport geography of the regional water course system and (iii) were relevant for the selection of sites for Roman settlements and (iv) military infrastructure, and finally, that (v) the modern fluvial landscape of the Ried represents the cultural heritage of well-structured transport and military planning measures during Roman times.Our proposal is based on comprehensive archaeological, geophysical and geoarchaeological preliminary studies using innovative and modern methods that have already yielded promising initial results. Within the frame of the project, we will apply a systematic, interdisciplinary approach comprising multi-sensor geophysical investigations (EMI/MG, ERT, GPR, seismics), geoarchaeological studies using Direct Push-soundings, vibracore drillings and sediment analyses for palaeoeoenvironmental reconstructions, as well as archaeological investigations such as surveys, sondages, analyses of found material, archaeobotanical and ceramic analyses.So far, landscape manipulation measures have not attracted much interest in Provincial Roman Archaeology. The LANDGRABEN project, however, is of high relevance for future research activities as it will improve our overall knowledge on the usage potential of natural resources in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants