Roman Alblimes Road Unearthed Near Germany's A8 Motorway

Archaeologists working ahead of the new A8 Alb ascent have uncovered about 90 metres of the ancient Alblimes Road near Drackenstein in the Swabian Alb plateau. The Roman road, built in the 1st century AD under Emperor Vespasian, linked the settlements of Rottweil and Heidenheim an der Brenz and formed part of the frontier infrastructure of the province of Germania Superior. The discovery was made by the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments (LAD) under project manager Dr René Wollenweber, who said, “These finds shed light on the origin, significance and use of one of the oldest roads in Baden‑Württemberg.”

Excavations also revealed a bronze coin from the reign of Domitian, iron shoe nails, a bronze‑age roll‑head pin and burial urns, and researchers suspect a nearby Roman way‑station. The finds provide new insight into the region’s ancient transport network, trade, and military movement, and highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage while developing modern infrastructure.