Archaeologists from the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe (LWL) in western Germany, uncovered a Roman-era mystery at a site in Delbrück, including the remains of a Roman military belt buried in what experts believe may be the grave of a Germanic mercenary. The find confirms deep Roman influence in the region during the Migration Period and reveals a powerful link between ancient Germanic settlers and the Roman Empire.
Excavators at the Schafbreite site recovered hundreds of artifacts dating to the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., including wells, post holes, pit houses, and a rare cremation grave. “Experts date this buckle to the 4th or 5th century based on its shape,” the LWL announced. “It further confirms the settlers’ contact with the Roman cultural sphere, as it belonged to the Roman military belt.”
The belt buckle, part of a trove of 750 items—600 of them metal—was found alongside charcoal, cremated remains, and burned grave goods. The LWL called the burial “a special find, as it is the first burial in East Westphalia where parts of a Roman military belt have been detected.”
Lead archaeologist Sven Spiong emphasized the site’s significance: “Sites like these help us better understand how the people of the region lived and worked during the arrival of the Romans.”
Sven Knippschild, the excavation manager, praised the site’s preservation, saying, “The organic preservation was so good that we recovered not only wood but also a leather fragment and even an insect wing.”
