Municipality of Heerlen
The tomb, discovered in the town of Heerlen in the Netherlands, is the oldest Roman burial discovered in the region that can be linked to an identified individual.
Archaeologists excavating a square in the Dutch city of Heerlen discovered what is now considered the oldest Roman tomb in the region and the oldest individual name recorded in the city’s history.
The discovery was made during an ADC ArcheoProjecten excavation near Raadhuisplein, or Town Hall Square, where researchers initially believed they had found the remains of a wine cellar. Further investigation revealed a very different story. The structure contained numerous fragments of bronze, pottery, terra sigillata cups and plates, and cremated human remains, indicating that It was, in fact, an ancient tomb.
The most significant clue came from inscriptions on clay cups with the abbreviation “FLAC,” which archaeologists identified as a nickname for Flaccus. Along with the cups, the team found a personal bronze skin scraper and several plates. The ceramics, imported from Italy, clearly pointed to Roman origins and suggested that the individual had been a Roman soldier.
According to a statement from the municipality of Heerlen, the grave dates back to approximately year 0making it the oldest Roman burial discovered in the region that can be linked to an identified individual. “It is a unique discovery, not only because it is the oldest Roman tomb in Heerlen, but also because no names were known there before,” the statement reads.
Researchers say the tomb provides rare, direct evidence of early Roman occupation at the site, which was formerly known as Coriovallum during Roman expansion into the region.
Raadhuisplein is close to the intersection of two important Roman roads, the Via Belgica and the Via Traiana, which connected parts of present-day Germany and France. This strategic location suggests that the area was once a military crossroads before becoming a civilian settlement. Coriovallum later became known for its public baths, built between 50 and 70 AD, which were discovered in 1940 and remain the largest visible Roman ruins in the Netherlands.
The newly discovered artefacts will be displayed at Heerlen’s Roman Museum, allowing the public to see objects linked to the city’s first known inhabitant.
“Evidence of Roman habitation from the time of Emperor Augustus was found,” said Jordy Clemens, Heerlen’s councilor for culture and heritage. “A unique discovery that not only teaches us more about our past, but also shows the how special is the Roman history of Heerlen in the Netherlands.”
