A watchtower was found to the north-west of Freienstein-Teufen at the locality Tössegg-Schlössliacker, where the river Töss flows into the Rhine. It was identified and investigated in 1923, and excavated further in 1956 and 1979-1980. It measured 11.80 x 12.00 m., with walls 2 m. thick. The threshold of sandstone had been preserved (0.81 x 1.57 m.). In the centre of the interior stood a masonry pier (0.90 x 1.00 m.) that supported the ceiling. At an average distance of 10 meters from the tower was a moat, 3.50 m. wide and 1.20 m. deep. In 1923 a millstone was found, and in 1980 some metal objects emerged, including a fragment of a bronze sword scabbard. The tower will have been built as part of a fortication program by Valentinianus I (364-375 AD). Some coins were also found, the latest from the reigns of Theodosius and Arcadius, from the late fourth century. The tower was destroyed by a fire.
Plan of the watchtower. Drack-Fellmann 1988, Abb. 452.
View of the watchtower. Photo: Wikimedia, Roland zh.
Literature
Jahresbericht der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Urgeschichte 15 (1923), 110-111; Drack 1982(1); Drack-Fellmann 1988, 488-489; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 118-119; Horisberger 2007(1).
[28-Mar-2024]
