Roman archaeological discoveries found in the Alps and Spain

Archaeological discoveries in Switzerland and Spain are providing new insights into the infrastructure and military strategy of the Roman Empire.

In the Swiss Alps, researchers from the University of Basel have identified one of the highest confirmed Roman military camps, located at an altitude of 2,200 meters in Colm la Runga. Found by a local detectorist, the site contains lead projectiles, footwear nails, and other military equipment. Some projectiles bear the seal of Legio III, linking the site to the Roman conquest of the Alps. This discovery suggests that Roman forces utilized high-altitude observation posts rather than just controlling low-lying mountain passes.

In Spain, a 1.6-kilometer stretch of Roman road in the Losa Valley, Burgos, has been identified as one of the best-preserved sections of the ancient road network in the Iberian Peninsula. Connecting the Cantabrian coast to the Mediterranean, this segment allows historians to study Roman construction techniques in situ. While the original route was much longer, much of it was lost to land consolidation and lack of awareness during the 20th century.