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Regensburg's Roman treasury: Excavations reveal secrets!
Archaeologists from the University of Regensburg are researching a Roman villa in Bibione. Important finds show prosperity in the 4th century AD.
Regensburg's Roman treasury: Excavations reveal secrets!
Archaeologists from the University of Regensburg are continuing their excavations in Bibione. The fourth excavation campaign took place in March and April 2025. This project has been systematically carried out since 2022 by the Institute of Classical Archeology under the direction of Prof. Dr. Dirk Steuernagel carried out in close cooperation with the University of Padua. The excavations are carried out with the permission of the Italian Ministry of Culture and under the supervision of the Soprintendenza Archeologia.
The aim of this research is the archaeological exploration of a Roman maritime villa, which represents a remarkable part of the history of the former Roman Empire. The relevance and potential of the location is already evident in the first funding phase of the German Research Foundation (DFG); Therefore, an application for further funding was submitted to the DFG.
Architectural discoveries
The villa's architectural complex includes at least two residential buildings. The western building dates from the time of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century BC. BC and is only partially outdoors. The eastern building was constructed several decades later and features well-preserved structures, remarkably protected by their high burial.
The discovery of mosaic floors and painted plaster walls illustrates the high standard of living of the villa owners at the time. The economic prosperity of the people who lived here was based on the rich resources of the watery environment, which includes rivers, lagoons and the sea. Possible functions of the villa can be assumed in a variety of ways: from fishing to fish farming to a transshipment point for goods and passenger traffic.
Geoscientific studies by the University of Padua also indicate the possible existence of a jetty nearby. The excavations have deepened our understanding of a phase of expansion and use of the villa in the 4th and early 5th centuries AD. During this time, the villa buildings were expanded and connected with a branched system of corridors.
Around thirty well-preserved late antique coins were found in the villa, supplemented by finds of fine tableware, some of which came from Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. These discoveries demonstrate the lively activity in the 4th century AD. The analysis of the collected data and finds is continuing.
The Roman brewery in Regensburg
In 2021, the Roman brewery was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title “Borders of the Roman Empire – Danube Limes.” The address is Kornweg 24, 93049 Regensburg, and visitors can view the excavations from the outside at any time. The journey is also taken care of: the site can be easily reached by train to Regensburg and bus 1 towards Scheckening.
There are numerous other attractions in the immediate vicinity that highlight the rich heritage of the region's Roman past. These include, among others, the Legion Camp Wall Historical Museum and the Porta Praetoria or the Archaeological Museum in Kelheim.
The remains of the ancient sites are well preserved and provide a fascinating insight into the complexity and coherence of the Roman Empire's borders in northwestern Europe. Above-ground and subterranean remains are easily traceable in both their form and design, which contributes to the understanding of the once powerful Roman military architecture. These elements are directly related to the expansion of power of the Roman Empire and testify to an exchange of cultural values.