Roman military camp discovered in the Swiss Alps

Archaeologists have discovered a Roman military fortification in the Swiss Alps at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters. Located at Colm la Runga, the site was identified using LiDAR technology, which uses laser pulses to map terrain structures hidden beneath dense vegetation.

A collaborative project between the Archaeological Service of Graubünden and the University of Basel dated the camp to the 1st century BCE, coinciding with the Alpine campaigns under Emperor Augustus. The site features three defensive ditches and an earthen rampart surrounding the summit. Its elevated position provided a strategic vantage point to monitor the Landwasser, Albula, Domleschg, and Surses valleys, as well as the Lenzerheide pass.

Excavations revealed various military artifacts, including weapons, equipment, and Roman military boot nails. Notably, sling bullets bearing the stamp of the 3rd Legion were recovered, suggesting the presence of this specific unit. Similar projectiles found in the valley below indicate that a battle likely took place near the camp.