In 1937 a cemetery was discovered in Allschwil at locality Neu-Allschwil, during the building of the church of St. Theresia. A skeleton was discovered first of all, so the matter was reported to the police.
The church of St. Theresia. Photo: rkk-as.ch.The excavators found many cremations in urns, in an area measuring 30 x 6 m. The burials have been dated to the years 25-80 AD. Amongst the grave goods were vessels for food and drink, and small glass flasks for ointments. Many brooches and a few rings were also encountered. The grave goods must have been placed in wooden chests, of which only iron nails remained. The finds were taken to the Heimatmuseum in Allschwil.
Plan of the cemetery. Ettlinger-Schmassmann 1944, Abb. 1.Somewhere in this area must have been the mansio (stopping place and inn) Arialbinum, which is listed in the Itinerarium Antonini and can be seen on the Tabula Peutingeriana. Binningen, a bit to the east, and Bourgfelden, somewhat to the north in France, have also been proposed.
Literature
Ettlinger-Schmassmann 1944; Drack-Fellmann 1988, 275; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 35.
[15-Oct-2023]
