According to an August 29 press release, archaeologists have discovered a previously unknown Roman military garrison in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, shedding new light on the Roman Empire's strategic presence in the Alps.

This discovery Announced It was discovered by the Swiss Canton of Graubünden in cooperation with the Vindonissa Professorship at the University of Basel and the Graubünden Archaeological Service.

The camp was located at an altitude of about 2,200 meters (about 7,200 feet) above sea level in the Corum la Lunga region and boasted three ditches and ramparts for defense, according to a press release.

Its strategic position offered clear views over key valleys and passes, making it an ideal spot for the Roman army to monitor and control the region. Researchers have estimated that the camp dates to the same period as a nearby Roman battlefield. (Related article: Researchers discover 'archaeological sensation' in Swiss Alps)

Work has uncovered Roman military artefacts at the former camp, including a slingshot and shoe spikes, including a slingshot inscribed with the markings of the Third Legion, members of which are thought to have fought at the Battle of Crapses, about 900 metres (about 2,900 feet) below the camp.

A Roman campsite has been discovered high in the Swiss Alps, at an altitude of 2,200 metres (7,218 feet). https://t.co/mAtzvEI2uG

— Sharon K. Gilbert (@sharonkgilbert) September 2, 2024

According to a press release, archaeologists relied on LiDAR technology, which uses laser scanning to create a detailed digital terrain model. Volunteers used the technology to excavate the site in the fall of 2023. LiDAR has played a key role in the discovery of previously hidden archaeological sites around the world.

The discovery of the battlefield calls into question the previous assumption that Roman activity in Switzerland was limited to the founding of settlements. Archaeological JournalThis suggests that military forces were deployed to secure and maintain control of the Alpine passes.