Archaeological finds

Kerkrade has a long history of habitation. The oldest finds attesting to the presence of humans date back to 60,000 BC.

They are fist axes left by Neanderthals near the Domaniale mine. Many sites are known from the Roman period in Kerkrade. The sloping landscape with its fertile loess soil and stream valleys was an attractive settlement area for the Romans. The oldest traces of Roman occupation date from around the era and the last around 400 AD. The Romans entered our country around 12 BC and conquered all of the Netherlands south of the Rhine River. In fertile southern Limburg, they establish villas: large-scale farms with a Roman appearance.

Part of a rural settlement was excavated in 1997 in the Maar-West industrial area. In the process, the floor plans of several wooden buildings, wells and a sacrificial pit were discovered. This sacrificial pit is special because a terracotta figurine of a bear was found. This is a sacrificial figurine for the Roman goddess Artio and is unique for the Netherlands. Replicas of this bear are for sale at the central desk of the City Office.

Romans Street

Archaeologists have already discovered and excavated several villas in Kerkrade. One of the first villas discovered and partially excavated is the one on the corner of Romeinenstraat/Kleingraverstraat. In 1921 the foundations of a house were hit during construction.

Further investigation by employees of the General Technical Service of the Municipality of Kerkrade revealed it to be part of a Roman villa. The rest of the villa had already disappeared. The part that was "drawn" and also "photographed" in a way that was progressive for the time, had floor heating in at least one room.

In redesigning the street, the municipality of Kerkrade indicated the contours of the excavated part of the villa in the pavement in a different color of pavement.

An excavation uncovered the foundations of a house

Krichelberg

Villa Krichelberg, on Kaalheide, is currently the only villa in the Netherlands whose remains are visible above ground. The villa has been investigated in several excavation campaigns. This villa is also special because it has a wooden predecessor dated to the beginning of the era. This wooden building was destroyed by fire and was replaced by a Roman villa built in stone. It is characterized by the covered colonnade and corner towers. Not only the exterior but also the layout of the villa and the functions of the rooms have been reconstructed. The model of the villa and some finds from the excavations are on permanent display in the hall of the City Office.

Holzkuil

The most famous and recently excavated Roman villa is located at a site on Eygelshovenergracht, the Holzkuil. Here, during an archaeological preliminary investigation for planned housing development in the area, the foundations of a villa were found. It was decided to excavate the villa in its entirety. During the excavation, the preservation of the villa turned out to be better than expected and extraordinary finds were made. This villa had an exceptionally well-preserved bathing area and basement. Even remains of wall paintings were found. A public book and with a 3d reconstruction was realized. The model of this villa is also exhibited in the hall of the City Office.
A villa site near Erenstein is an archaeological monument and as such protected by law.

Gravesites

The Romans cremated their dead and buried the urn with ashes and accessory items. Grave fields from the Roman period have been found in the Holz and at the Herman lignite quarry, among others. These burial grounds were located outside the settlements, mostly along a road. The route of the Roman military road from Cologne to southern France has been established in Rimburg. There the Romans built a wooden bridge over the Worm. Along these roads were milestones, a kind of ANWB signs, which indicated the distance to the nearest town or inn. Parts of milestones were found, bricked in, in the old church of Eygelshoven. During restoration, they were removed and are now on display at the Thermen Museum. They date to around 310 AD. Roads were built to move army units and materials quickly. In addition, they were indispensable for trade. The products produced by a villa were sold in the markets and thus had to be transported. The markt for the Kerkrade villas was in Coriovallum (Heerlen)

The Romans leave the Netherlands shortly after 400. Our country is unsettled by numerous incursions by hostile tribes. The area is abandoned, the village buildings fall to ruins and the fields become overgrown.