The map below is from a well-known book about Xanten, "Colonia Ulpia Traiana. Xanten und seind Umland in römischer Zeit". The scan is made with my own, small apparatus, and not very well-done, but sufficient to see that the moat/ditch appears to be interrupted inn the southeast. If you approach the city from the southeast, the wall is from left to right, but from the left to the center, there is no moat/ditch.
What does this mean? I suspect that there are no archeological traces, but please note that the map also offers walls that have not been excavated and are hypothetical. An error in the map? Perhaps. Or clumsy Roman design of the city walls? I cannot imagine that.
[attachment=4898]xanten_s.jpg[/attachment]
Jona Lendering Relevance is the enemy of history My website
Hi Jona,
.... my map from "Römer in Nordrhein-Westfalen" (page 630 pic 541 )
which also says "Stand/state 1987" clearly shows a ditch at that south-eastern part
and even more so with a drainage-trench "right in the middle". (BTW: Also there's a lot
more "blind-spots" on that plan.) Interestingly this plan also shows a double-ditch in the eastern corner by the amphitheatre.
Quote:.... my map from "Römer in Nordrhein-Westfalen" (page 630 pic 541 ), which also says "Stand/state 1987" clearly shows a ditch at that south-eastern part
and even more so with a drainage-trench "right in the middle".
Thanks Siggi. So the ditch surrounded the city, as is logical. Good.
Quote:Interestingly this plan also shows a double-ditch in the eastern corner by the amphitheatre.
Yes, that's also on my map. I think they have reconstructed it nicely.
Jona Lendering Relevance is the enemy of history My website
Hi Jona,
.... as it was !late" I overlooked the double-ditch on your map until I had released my post. :roll:
Since my scanner is quite loud I had to wait until now before I could do a scan of the
map mentioned.
Here it is.
They did indeed! I just hope that one day they will also show a bit, perhaps one corner, of the Constantinian defences, when the city shrunk in on itself (green on your map).
Robert Vermaat MODERATOR FECTIO Late Romans
THE CAUSE OF WAR MUST BE JUST
(Maurikios-Strategikon, book VIII.2: Maxim 12)
That, dear Robert, is a VERY good plan for another city: Maastricht. On the eastern wall, one tower has been identified in the street known as Houtmaas. For many years, they did not know what to do with it. Now, they have conserved the ruin and made it into a parking site, with a circle of metal signs indicating what's below.
OK, it's interesting because if you park your car over there, you know that it stands on the most expensive parking site in the world. Yet, it would be a lot more interesting if Maastricht rebuilt the tower. The city always claims to be Roman; this might be a way to express it.
Jona Lendering Relevance is the enemy of history My website