Via Claudia Augusta - Alpine transit and trade relations

In the period from 1999 to 2000 the Institute for Classical Archaeology / University of Innsbruck was entrusted with the excavation in the Roman settlement of Biberwier / Tirol. Biberwier site belongs probably to the roman mutationes or mansiones, which were indispensable to ensure a smooth work of the cursus publicus. The most important archaeological findings are a wooden structure (12.5 x 10 m) and appropriate refuse pits dating into the 1st century AD, strata of the 2nd century and a grave, which seems to belong to the late Roman or early medieval period. This great number of small finds from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD (mainly pottery: imported wares like Terra Sigillata (Tardo Padana, South Gaulish and from Tabernae/Rheinzabern), fine wares from Northern Italy and Gaul, Terra Nigra and local wares like "Auerbergtöpfe", brooches, coins, glass, pieces of military equipment and engraved gems) should now be analysed and linked to the results of the excavations. The presentation of the conclusions of the recent excavations will be discussed and linked with researches on comparable places. On the other hand there are hundreds of small finds originating from recent surveys along the Via Claudia Augusta, which should also be linked with the analysis of the material from Biberwier.

The small finds originating from the archaeological excavations at Biberwier disclose not as yet expected trade relations for an alpine settlement in the northern Tyrol especially for the early Roman period. Some fine wares from Italy are represented for the first time in the northern Tyrol as the so called double-handled "Sarius-cups", "ceramica à pareti sottili" and the ware of "ceramica à vernice nera" (Campanian ware), which was found in the province of Raetia up to now only at Augsburg/Augusta Vindelicum. From the the middle of the 1st century A. D. trade relations with Gaul are shown through the import of south gaulish Samian Ware from the potter`s workshops at La Graufesenque/Condatomagus and colour-coated fine wares from Lyon/La Butte, which is widely spread chiefly in Roman Britain. In the 2nd century A. D. Samian Ware from central Gaul is imported and from the end of the century an on to the 3rd century Samian Ware from Rheinzabern/Tabernae is established as the dominating table-ware. In few pieces fine dark coloured pottery from the lower Rhine and Raetian workshops have been found in the course of the excavations at Biberwier. Rhodian Amphorae of the Camulodunum 184 type point out some importation of wine from eastern Mediterranean regions. Trade relations with regions outside the Roman Empire are indicated by semi- precious stones from Afghanistan and India, which were converted into gems probably in the Mediterranean world. Although the Roman settlement at Biberwier undoubtedly held an important place in transport services on the Via Claudia Augusta, an definite interpretation as a mansio or mutatio of the cursus publicus has to be left undecided in lack of comparable sites along the Via Claudia Augusta and sources on the organisation of transports for the Early Empire. The course of evolution of the Roman site is closely paralysed with the phases of construction of the timber-constructed section of the Via Claudia Augusta through the Lermoos bog. The hiatus in road-maintenance between 260 and 270 A. D. is also stated for the Roman settlement at Biberwier by evidence of the small finds - with one particular difference: whereas the road was reconstructed and kept in use until early medieval times, the Roman settlement ended - at least at the excavation site. The finds, which originate from the surveys along the Via Claudia Augusta, content dress accessories of regional origin and on the other hand imported pieces from distant parts like northern Italy and the lower course of the river Main in Germany. The Roman coins show distinctively the permanent use of the Via Claudia Augusta through the entire period of Roman occupation until the exhaustion of regular currency supplies at the end of the 4th century. Summing up it can be noticed that especially for the times of the early Roman period an intense influence on parts of the northern Tyrol along the Via Claudia Augusta from Mediterranean regions is obvious and proved by the results of the excavations at Biberwier for the first time.