Der römische Dolch aus Haltern am See - von der Ausgrabung zur Restaurierung

2,000 years ago, Rome's long arm reached up to the lip. The military camp of Haltern was part of the Roman border protection and served as a starting and supply point for military enterprises. At the time of Augustus, about 2,000 years ago, several thousand legionaries lived here. For over 100 years, they have been digging on the site, and again and again the researchers come across new finds. As in April 2019, when 19-year-old intern Niko Kallmund came across a sensational find in the Roman minefield of Haltern am See. And in the area of the excavations we saw discolourations that belong to a Roman grave, to a hill grave. A circle grave has been marked with a dark filling. And when the circle grave was being cut, this filling came to light. The excavators found that the belt that belonged to the weapon was also hidden in the soil. That is why this find as a whole is protected with the surrounding soil. In this so-called block mine, plaster ties ensure that nothing can slip. This careful procedure enabled the restorers of the LWL Archaeology to carry out an investigation under optimal conditions. First X-ray images show how the belt parts are arranged inside. The belt, called Zingolum Militare by the Romans, was worn by Roman soldiers and was an integral part of the armament of every legionary. The block is opened. Eugen Misch works with fine tools, layer by layer. A find like this is an absolute rarity. Because Roman fortifications were kept relatively simple. The dead were burned and placed in a urn. Drinks, food and perfumed essences were the common supplies. It was completely unusual for weapons to be given. It was even unusual for the dead to wear their finger rings. Oil lamps were also very, very rare. Coins, for example, were also rarely given. All in all, the equipment was relatively simple. And if you find a weapon, like the dagger now, then it is outside of the actual equipment. The dagger. Strong corrosion has firmly connected blade and sheath. The X-ray shows what is hidden under the thick layer of rust. Filigree patterns and decorations, so-called tachings, lead to a complex weapon. Later CT examinations will show that the blade consists of complex striped masts. The cleaning of all weapons and belt parts requires a lot of fingertip feeling. With ultrasonic tools, crumples are carefully removed. Slowly, the bevels of the belt appear. To the amazement of the restorer, even leather remains have been preserved. Originally, the leather was coated with bronze or brass plates. To give the impression of expensive silver, the metal plates were covered with tin. The thick layer of corrosion on the dagger handle is also removed. Fine patterns and decorations become visible. Eugen Misch focuses on the X-ray shots made before. Daggers were widespread in the Roman army. Daggers were part of the standard equipment, just like the gladius, gladius and dagger. The main weapon was the gladius, and the dagger was basically a substitute weapon when the gladius was no longer usable. The dagger represented the social status of the soldiers, the social status of the legionnaire. It was also a representative weapon. The heavily corroded and already half-inflated dagger is opened. After 2000 years, this blade comes back to daylight for the first time. Here we see the blood vessel, two pieces parallel to the middle degree of the blade. Here we see the cutting of the dagger. Who owned the weapon? Who put the weapon down here and for what reason? These are questions that can only be speculated about. Maybe it was so that relatives or comrades put the dagger down there at the request of the owner. That would be a possibility. But many other events are also possible. But it is certain that it was not a war event. So that the dagger was not lost in a battle, for example. We can definitely say that. Eugen Misch tries to loosen the underside of the blade with the sandblasting device and a small grinder as far as possible. Without great resistance, the blade can finally be completely unlocked. After 2000 years, it is free again. The corroded parts are removed further and further. Patterns of ruts, crescents and leaves emerge. In order to preserve these so-called tarnishings, depressions were first inserted into the sheets, into which fine wires or sheets of silver and brass were inserted. Some silver threads were only 0.15 mm thick. Inserts made of red enamel and glass made the dagger a representative weapon. There are daggers that are much simpler. They have a simple, unadorned iron sheath. And compared to that, the dagger is of course extraordinary. It is a eye-catcher. You are proud of your work as a legionnaire. The weapon was certainly not made in Haltern. We know iron processing and iron repair here. But it was certainly made in a special workshop that specialized in the production of Militaria. The Roman dagger from Haltern, a top product of Roman weaponry, is now in new splendor after 2,000 years in the earth. A unique find that still leaves many questions unanswered. A relic from a time when the borders of the Empire extended all the way to Westphalia.