In Tschugg, situated between the Lac de Neuchâtel and the Bielersee, remains of a villa were investigated at the locality Steiacher. Three parts were excavated, in 1977, 1985 and 1992. The building was in use from the middle of the first century until about 200 AD.
Tschugg and the Bielersee. The locality Steiacher is to the left. Photo: Gemeinde Tschugg.
Plan of the three excavated parts. Glauser-Ramstein-Bacher 1996, Abb. 120.
Reconstruction drawing of the three excavated parts, seen from above. Glauser-Ramstein-Bacher 1996, Abb. 120.
Some walls were found of the main building (1992) and of a secondary building (1985), but the main interest lies in bathing rooms (1977), in particular a round hall. The hall had a diameter of 5.95 m. Corners were created by four niches. Fragments of window glass were found inside the hall, and traces of paintings were seen on the wall. The function of the hall is disputed: a sweating room (laconicum), a dressing room (apodyterium), a foyer, or a nymphaeum.
View of the bathing rooms. Photo: Glauser-Ramstein-Bacher 1996, Abb. 54.
Reconstruction drawings of the round hall. Von Kaenel-Pfanner 1980, Abb. 52 and 67.
Some rooms had a raised floor for heating. In one of the other bathing rooms many fragments were found of the mosaic floor, black-and-white with polychrome vegetative motifs.
Reconstruction of a mosaic floor of a bathing room. Von Kaenel-Pfanner 1980, Abb. 36.
Literature
Von Kaenel-Pfanner 1980; Drack-Fellmann 1988, 528-529; Suter-Koenig 1990(3); Glauser-Ramstein-Bacher 1996.
[7-Nov-2023]
