Cities, villages, fortresses - Sankt Gallen - Rapperswil-Kempraten - The temple complex

Introduction The forum Houses, workshops, baths The temple complex

The curse tablets The mithraeum Burial places

In this century a temple complex has been excavated known as Seewiese, in the north-west part of the settlement (nr. 14 on the general plan). The final publication was in 2023 yet to appear.

Plan of the complex. Koch-Schindler 2014, 107.

A trapezoidal area was originally surrounded by a ditch, later replaced by a wall. The water was led away by drainage channels. In the area were two Gallo-Roman temples of stone, the northern one with a colonnade on the ambulatory and with a cella measuring 4.80 x 4.30 m. In front of this temple was an altar, a rectangular fireplace surrounded by stones. In front of the other, smaller temple another fireplace was found. The temples were built in the second and third quarter of the second century. Two small wooden structures to the south have been interpreted as shrines. Furthermore three pits were excavated. In a pit next to the smaller temple lay fragments of a perforated barrel base, so it was probably a well. Archaeobotanical investigations suggest that a pine grove grew in the large open area in the south part. In the 270's there was a fire in the complex, but it was used again afterwards, until the second half of the fourth century. To the south of the complex two lime kilns from the first century were found.

The northern temple seen from the west. Photo: Koch-Schindler 2014, 107.

The material found in the complex is largely from the second and third century. Many terracotta and soapstone vessels for burning incense were found. Animal remains provide evidence for sacrifices of poultry (including roosters and pheasants) and of pikes. Terracotta statuettes of female deities, fragments of bronze miniature axes, jewelry and coins have been interpreted as votive offerings. A gem of red jasper from a ring has the portrait of an Emperor: Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus, or Commodus.

Terracotta statuettes of female deities. Photo: Koch-Schindler 2014, 108.

Gem of red jasper with the portrait of an Emperor. H. 0.012. Photo: Koch-Schindler 2014, 109.

Furthermore two small altars of sandstone were found on which the formula V(otum) S(olvit) L(ibens) L(aetus) M(erito) was preserved: "He fulfilled his vow gladly, happily, deservedly". Three fragments of sandstone presumably formed part of a building inscription. The words vicani Lindomagenses can be read, "the inhabitants of the vicus Lindomagus". Lindomagus ("Market on the lake"?) may have been the very settlement of Kempraten.

The fragments of the inscription with the words vicani Lindomagenses.
Kolb et al. 2022, nr. 403. EDCS-59500091. Photo: Koch-Schindler 2014, 110.

Quite unexpected was the discovery of lead tablets containing curses and spells. These are discussed on a separate page.

Introduction The forum Houses, workshops, baths The temple complex

The curse tablets The mithraeum Burial places

[17-Dec-2023]