(40+20c) Thermae
complex.
In 1997, a habitation from the Michelsberg culture (4400
- 3500 BC) was excavated at the Schelsberg, near Heerlen. Archeological finds
from this period are rare in the Netherlands. The site is unique in the
Netherlands, as it is the first excavated site with ditches and earth walls
(earthworks).
Even
with these proofs of early habitation, the history of Heerlen properly starts
with the arrival of the Romans. They founded a military settlement, named Coriovallum on
the crossroad of two main roads: Boulogne sur Mer - Cologne and
Xanten - Aachen - Trier.
In Heerlen and its surroundings a lot of evidence of Roman life has been
excavated, especially Roman villas (country estates). The most notable
archeological excavation from Roman times is the Thermae complex in the centre of Heerlen, a Roman bathhouse,
discovered in 1940. In the Netherlands only a few of these have been found.
It is a clear indication that Coriovallum/Heerlen was of some importance. A
museum has been built over the Thermae and opened in 1977. The Thermen museum
also houses other Roman finds from the area.
(45+20c) Goddess Nehalennia altar in front of sea
map.
Goddess of Death, Fate, Fortune, Rebirth, Abundance and Fertility.
Combining Nehalennia´s four main attributes, throne, ship, dog and
fruit into a scheme, it becomes clear that she can be placed in a long series
of goddesses that are both Gallo- Roman and pre-Celtic, who have protective
qualities and who are in intimate relation with fertility as well as death and
the underworld, having the double character of life and death.
The Goddess of the Sea
As a standing goddess, Nehalennia resembles the Venus/Aphrodite
prototype, the unmarried maiden goddess, the goddess of spring and gardens,
protector of life, protector of the dead, and strongly associated with rivers,
streams, waves, the ocean, and water in general. She belongs to the islands,
the harbors and the riverbanks. Like Venus, she was a protector of fertility
and welfare.
No comments:
Post a Comment