Roman auxiliary camp of Oberstimm

The Roman fort Oberstimm

(Daniel Burger)

From 1968–1971 the first scientific excavations allowed a detailed analysis of the fort.The recoveryin 1994 of two Roman military patrol boats beneath the market at Oberstimm was a great sensation. Their position made it clear that they were sunk only 50 m in front of the western fort wall on the old river bank. Around AD 40 the fort was built on a flood-free area on the site of the present town of Oberstimm. The construction of the fort marked the end of the Roman offensives aimed at the occupation of the Alpine foothills.

To protect the area conquered, several forts were built on the so called “Donausüdstraße” (Southern Danube Road). For 80 years Oberstimm constituted the eastern end of the occupied area and played a significant strategical role with regard to the economy and protection of the area.

The internalarea covered 1.44 ha (132x108 m) and was surrounded by a typical earth-and-timber rampart.

The western wall was accompanied by a single ditch, whereas the other walls were protected by a double ditch. The internal structures in the fort comprised 12 barrack blocks, the headquarters building, the commander’s house, workshops, a military hospital and a warehouse that was extended in a secondary phase. The fort had the capacity to house around 320 infantry, as well as 64 to 120 cavalry (equivalent to one cohort), who altogether were responsible for patrolling the frontier.

The name of the unit garrisoning the fort is not known. To the south outside the fort a civilian vicus (rural settlement) was built. The inhabitants consisted of the soldiers’ families, merchants and craftsmen. To the westseveral cremation burials were found. When the border was moved forward north of the Danube, the fortwas abandoned, at the latest around AD 120.

General map of Oberstimm in Roman times. The St. Bartholomäus Church is located in the northeastern corner of the fort.

Repartition map of military camps and of civil settlement finds along the Roman road connecting Oberstimm and Zuchering.

A model showing the fort and a patrol boat on the former river is exhibited in the keltenrömer museum manching.

The smoking chamber in the workshops (fabricae) is one of Oberstimm’s special features.

Water channels provided the soldiers with fresh water within the fort and were covered with wooden planks.