The Romanisation of the Adria-Alps-Area

The topic in question is basing on extend archaeological excavations which took place between 2004 and 2008 within the Gurina-settlement near Dellach im Gailtal (Carinzia). There have been excavated yet during the late 19th century structures that have been interpreted up to nowadays in very different ways as well as sensational objects (above all votive-figurines and votive-tablets with inscriptions). They gave a first light on the temporary important role of the Gurina-settlement within the cultural transfers between the Upper Adriatic and the Eastern Alpine Region and the regions farther in the north. As came to light by the recent excavations, the Gurina-settlement took an important part in the contact between the traders-settlement on the Magdalensberg and the Adriatic harbour Aquileia during the late celtic and early roman times. Using new methodological aspects is coming forward a new vision as well from the dating of the arrival of the Romans as from their material culture within the Eastern Alpine Region, thus not only in Carinzia but also in eastern Upper Italy and in the north-western parts of Slovenia too. These theses are based on the one hand on the mechanisms of production and distribution during the times of the early Roman Empire (above all coins and black and red Terra Sigillata) and on the other hand on new ideas on the chronology of early roman material culture in central Europe, based on the analysis of numerous grave finds und settlement-layers in Upper Italy. Aim of the planned research-work is thus to enlighten and to discuss the development of settlements within the years between about 50 BC and 50 AD in the area between the Eastern Alps und the Upper Adriatic. Doing this an impression of occupation und integration by Rome is going to expect to come forward showing also general aspects on roman occupation. In addition to the final studies on the objects and structures that have come forward by the recent excavations within the Gurina-settlement the project should also publish the recent excavations on the Schröttelhofer Feld near Oberdrauburg. Both settlements shall be compared with larger excavations within the Drau-valley between Aguntum respectively Lavant and the Magdalensberg respectively the Gracarca-settlement. This its unavoidable to discuss the archaeological results with the theses based on Roman history (prepared by prof. H. Graßl) and with those dates, coming forward from the foundation of colonies in the area between the Eastern Alps and the Upper Adriatic in roman Republic times as well as in times of Cesar. Finally within the study are to bee published and discussed all the other periods of settlement on the Gurina as well, completing the dates form the 19th century with those from the recent excavations. Finally is to be expected a modified and more detailed view as well as a more solid base on the discussion of romanisation in the area between the Eastern Alps and the Upper Adriatic.

The extensive studies on the archaeological excavations carried out on the Gurina-settlement in the upper valley of the Gail (Carinthia) between 2004 and 2008 led particularly to a new perception of the conquest of the eastern Alpine region by Rom in 15 BC and on the beginning of Roman administration within the new Roman province of Noricum, thus on the kind of romanisation of the area, too. Up to now most researchers follow the idea of a "peaceful takeover" of the eastern Alpine region by Rome - a contradictio per se - with intense connections between Rome and the eastern Alpine Celts since the 2nd century BC. The study on hand shows a considerable military presence of Rome at the moment of occupation, an extensive change in the pattern of settlement and the establishment of a fortified city with administrative buildings and large residential districts from the time about Christ`s birth on Gurina. The city should have existed only for a short time, as it was destroyed probably by a natural disaster about 15 AD, presumably an earthquake. Fragments of gilded life-size bronze statues and the perpendicular-axial structure of the city suggest a high quality of the Gurina- settlement; quite a number of Roman militaria show the presence of forces inside the city. The first traces of roman settlement go back to the time of occupation and overlay a Celtic settlement, which itself follows a settlement beginning in the early Iron Age or Hallstatt period. Based on ideas developed in long-year research work on Magdalensberg (Carinthia) and assumed in the area around the Caput Adriae for years the dating of objects and settlements comparable to the older roman settlement on Gurina have been dated usually older which means in late Celtic times. To support the new approach in dating with the result that roman settlement in the eastern Alps only starts after the occupation in 15 BC there were to analyze cemeteries in northern Italy bringing out the same conclusion. From cultural point of view it seems up to now that in Noricum there wasn`t created a "Celtic-roman merging culture" after the end of Celtic settlements and the end of Celtic-Norican culture, on the contrary to Gaul. Within the central settlements and in particular on Magdalensberg based on epigraphic evidence there are to verify mainly settlers form Northern Italy an Greece. The settlers from Northern Italy caused the development of costume in Roman Noricum and the development of the so called Norican costume by the mid of the 1st century AD. They were the central element for the romanisation of the eastern Alpine region. The tying on indigene Celtic culture is to be estimated modestly, thus.