In Meyriez, on the south-east side of the Murtensee, a Gallo-Roman temple was excavated in 1996 at the locality Merlachfeld. Most likely it formed part of a villa.
Plan of the temple. Saby et al. 1996, fig. 15.
Three phases of construction have been recognized. The oldest structure was made of wood. A palisade surrounded a small aedicula made up of four posts around an offering pit. In a second phase a wooden porticus was built, measuring 9 x 9 m. The posts rested on limestone slabs. Finally a stone temple was built measuring 16.80 x13.50 m., with a cella of 6.50 x 6.50 m. To the west of the temple, at a distance of some 70 meters, a small stone building was found (2.70 x 2.10 m), perhaps a little shrine. About 100 meters to the north-west of the temple was a masonry building (10.00 x 3.50 m.). A few coins from the reigns of Augustus to Trajan were found. Amongst the finds were a bronze brooch and an iron votive hatchet.
View of the temple. Saby et al. 1996, fig. 27.
Literature
Saby et al. 1996; Jahrbuch der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte 80 (1997), 250-251.
[16-Apr-2024]
