In 1931-1932 a villa was excavated by A. Matter and H. Erb at the locality Betberg to the southwest of Schupfart, five kilometers west of Frick and just as far from the Rhine. The main building was found (38 x 23 m.), on top of two older buildings, the first of wood, the second of stone. The two older buildings were both destroyed by a fire. It could not be determined whether the third building suffered the same fate.
The east part of the building, as seen in 1931. Photos: Schulthess 1931, Taf. VIII.Behind a porticus (II) are the living rooms (III-XIII) and a large hall (I), with fireplaces suggesting the presence of a kitchen. At the east end of the porticus was a cellar, with red plaster on the walls. Room VI had a raised, heated floor. Amongst the finds the excavators report the lower part of a millstone for grain, a stilus, sherds of glass vessels, parts of bronze and silver jewelry, a gold ring, and parts of musical instruments (unfortunately without a further specification). A few coins from the first and second century were found.
Plan of the villa. The walls of the first two phases are hatched. Schulthess 1931, Taf. II.
Literature
Matter 1931; Schulthess 1931; Erb 1932; Erb 1933; Hartmann-Weber 1985, 198.
[25-Aug-2023]
