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Late fortification on the Kastelen hill

Retreat behind thick walls An extensive rescue excavation and the archaeological post-excavation work confirmed what had previously been thought: As early as the 3rd century AD, Augusta Raurica was fortified a second time, affording the remaining population urgently needed shelter after large parts of the civilian town had been destroyed by acts of war.

- Publication about the fortification on the Kastelen hill - Fortifications in Augusta Raurica - Incursions of the Alamanni - Dr. René Clavel Roman Foundation
Today		In Roman times:
Around AD 276, Roman military units constructed an enceinte (walled fortification) on the plateau of the Kastelen hill in Augusta Raurica, after a large proportion of the town had been destroyed and looted by the Alamanni and insurgent Roman troops. The most important elements of this fortified centre of the settlement to the north of the ancient upper town were a ditch and bank system in the south of the Kastelen plateau and a 2.5 metres thick defensive wall. A 30 metre stretch of its northern section was examined between 1991 and 1993. Based on its construction date, technical specifications and on the finds recovered, one may conclude that it was part of the consolidation and defence measures put in place by the Emperor Probus (AD 276-282). The enceinte continued to fulfil its function into the mid 4th century as a refuge for the population decimated by the war. However, the construction of the Castrum Rauracense led to the relocation of the main settlement to the Rhine and the Kaiseraugst lower town as early as 300/320 approximately. The demolition of the enceinte wall probably took place in order to gather building material to repair the defensive wall of the fort in Kaiseraugst, which suffered extensive damage around AD 351/352. Today, the Kastelen hilltop is no longer publicly accessible and is the location of the Dr. René Clavel Roman Foundation with its guest villa and lecture hall.
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