Roman villa - Commune de Walferdange

The archaeological site at the foot of the “Sonnebierg” in Helmsange was only recognized for its extent and importance between the years of 1990 and 1994. The beginning of archaeological research coincided with the beginning of the preparation work done to create an ecological neighbourhood by the Housing Fund.
With a total surface area of nearly 5 000 m² (100m long by 50m wide), and including nearly 50 different rooms just on the ground floor alone, the Roman villa of Helmsange truly was a palace. It is part of a small group of luxury villas in the territory of Trier (see floorplan).

With its architectural layout, the Helmsange residence corresponds to the common type of Roman homes in our regions: villas with porticos and prominent side wings. As is common with buildings of such large size occupied for more than three centuries (it was built toward the mid-1^st century), the building has been transformed several times.

The architectural dig produced more than 400 Roman coins, in particular a purse containing more than 150 coins from the era of 260 to 280 AD. Besides the large quantity of hairpins and various glass necklace beads, other archaeological rarities include several bronze rings, one of which is inscribed with a name, and about 25 fibulae partially decorated with beautiful enamel. Notable items include a very beautiful bronze phalera decorated with a carefully sculpted lion’s head.

As is common when digging a Roman site, pottery makes up most of the material unearthed. All types and forms of Roman ceramics from the 1^st through 4^th centuries are represented.

One thing sets the Helmsange site from other similar villas: the especially high number of items having to do with a religious or cultural context. The most remarkable item from this group of objects is a sculpted limestone lower half of a very beautiful stele of divinities, likely from the 1^st century AD.