Niederzier Hambach 59

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Late first century CE until the fourth century CE.

Garden Description

This farm, known as Hambach 59, was built in the late 1st century CE and inhabited until its destruction in the 4th century (Plan 1). The farmhouse, 19.50 x 26 m. in size (A on plan), occupied a position in the northern part of the complex, and looked out on the rest of the farm to the south where various outbuildings and stables stood. There was no division between the residential part and the service area of the farm.

The farmyard was enclosed by a hedge (dotted lines on plan) and took up an area of approximately 1.5 hectares. Outside of the enclosed farmyard to the north were four large plots, presumably for orchards and cultivated fields, which were marked off by ditches or fences (outlined in black on plan). Two of these plots were approximately one hectare in size. The reconstruction of the vegetation on the farm is based on the palaeobotanical analysis of deposits from the four wells in front of the house. The material includes charred fruits and seeds as well as unburnt plant remains and pollen. Cherry pits are evidence for sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium). Oak pollen, as well as the water-logged remains of the buds and bud scales of the oak tree, suggest that a shady oak (Quercus sp.) may have grown near one of the wells in the courtyard. Walnut pollen was found in such large quantities in the wells, that one can safely assume the presence of walnut trees (Juglans regia) near the house. The same applies for lime trees (Tilia sp.) attested by their pollen in the sediments. The remains of (Coriandrum sativum) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) in the wells suggest that these plants may have grown in the vegetable garden in the immediate vicinity of the house. The hedge surrounding the farm compound may have consisted of a combination of hazelnut (Corylus sp.), elderberry (Sambucus sp.), raspberry and brambleberry (Rubus fruticosus), which were all present as pollen, shells, and seeds in the sediments. Box (Buxus sempervirens) is attested by the pollen in the wells, but it is uncertain where this plant grew on the site.

Plans

Plan 1. Plan of the farm with hedges (dotted lines) and fences (solid lines) enclosing orchards, fields and the farmyard with its house (A).

Credit: Plan adapted from Gaitzsch 1990, fig. on p. 238.

Bibliography

W. Gaitzsch, "Der römische Gutshof im 'Gewährhau' bei Niederzier," in H. Hellenkemper, H. Koschik and B. Trier, eds., Archäologie in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Cologne, 1990, pp. 235-41. worldcat
K.-H. Knörzer and J. Meurers-Balke, "Die Wirtschafts- und Nutzflächen eines römischen Gutshofes," in H. Hellenkemper, H. Koschick and B.Trier, eds., Archäologie in Nordrhein-Westfalen, pp. 242-46. worldcat
W. Gaitzsch, "Antikes Landleben im Modell einer villa rustica," Archäologie im Rheinland 1990, Cologne, 1991, pp. 46-49.

Keywords

Niederzier Hambach 69

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Dates

Late first century CE until the fourth century CE.

Garden Description

This villa rustica was situated west of Cologne in the same region as Hambach 59. It was built in the late 1st century CE and inhabited until the 4th century (Plan 1). The farm had a calculated overall area, including the cultivated land, of 50 hectares. The farm compound itself was one hectare in size. The modest house (A on plan) stood just inside the western border of the complex. Elsewhere on the property were various stables, barns, a pond and several wells.

To the east of the house was an area marked off by a narrow ditch (B on plan). This was probably a bedding trench for a protective hedge around a vegetable garden (G on plan). Palaeobotanical material, all of it carbonized, from deposits in wells and pits provide information on the field crops. Considerable amounts of charred chaff in a well in the eastern part of the farmyard suggest that a threshing area for the grain grown on the farm may have been situated near the well. The botanical remains indicate that spelt wheat was the main crop, followed by barley. The farmyard has hedge borders, the planting trenches for which were excavated. Within this area, fruit trees, oaks and alders as well as elderberry bushes possibly were planted.

Plans

Plan of the farm house (A) and the farmyard enclosed by a hedge (grey line). A vegetable garden (G) may have lain within another hedge (B).

Credit: Adapted from Gaitzsch 1986, fig. 5.

Bibliography

K.-H. Knörzer, "Veränderungen der Unkrautvegetation auf rheinischen Bauernhöfen seit der Römerzeit," Bonner Jahrbuch 184, 1984: 491-503. worldcat
W. Gaitzsch, "Grundformen römischer Landsiedlungen im Westen der CCAA," Bonner Jahrbuch 186, 1986: 397-427, fig. 5. worldcat

Niederzier-Hambach on Gardens of the Roman Empire

Niederzier Hambach 59

Dates

Garden Description

Plans

Bibliography

Keywords

Niederzier Hambach 69

Dates

Garden Description

Plans

Bibliography

Keywords