In Zofingen a villa was excavated on several occasions: in 1827-1828, in 1949, and 1958. In 1830-1831 two large classicist buildings were erected for the protection of the mosaic floors.
The protective buildings from 1830-1831. Photo: Wikimedia, Voyager.The excavated part of the main building measures 106 x 33 m. A wide rectangular area was flanked by two tower-like projections. In a second phase living rooms and bathing rooms were added on either side. Fragments of marble columns were found, and remains of marble revetment and paintings (vegetative motifs and red lines on a white background). Many bathing rooms had a raised floor for the heating. Because of the bathing rooms the locality is today known as Römerbad.
Plan of the villa. North is to the left. Keller 1864(2), Taf. VII,4.
The large, well-preserved mosaic floors were in living rooms. They are partly polychrome and have geometric and vegetative motifs. They have been assigned to the years 150-175 AD.
One of the mosaic floors. Photo: Wikimedia, Minnou.
Detail of a mosaic floor. Photo: Wikimedia, Voyager.In 1958 part of the wall surrounding the precinct in front of the main building was unearthed, together with a tower-like entrance gate.
Reconstruction drawing of the estate. Saxer 1978.The villa dates back to the first half of the first century. It was given up around 350 AD. The finds were taken to the Vindonissa Museum in Brugg and to a museum in Zofingen.
Literature
Keller 1864(2), 150-152; Lehmann 1936; Fellmann 1950(2); Von Gonzenbach 1961, 238-242; Hartmann 1975(2); Saxer 1978; Hartmann-Weber 1985, 213-214; Drack-Fellmann 1988, 569-570; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 296-297.
[27-Aug-2023]
