Roman Park Bergkamen

Germanic homestead

Before today's North Rhine-Westphalia was conquered by the Romans, there lived some peoples as well as tribes called Germanic. In 80 BC, the Greek writer Poseidonios of Apameia introduced the term ,,Germanic". Julius Caeser used the term "Germanic" for various ethnic groups. These included peoples in the areas between the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Vistula, the Danube and east of the Rhine. Due to the constant use of the term "Germanic" in his writings, the term quickly became well known.

However, the Germanic tribes were not a cohesive society or state, but lived in their respective tribal communities and even waged war among themselves. People who were closely related or farmed land together often lived in a homestead. A homestead is a built-up piece of land that was used as a place to live or work. Usually it consists of only one large main house. Sometimes, however, such a homestead may be composed of several main houses and other functional buildings.

In the Lippe region, Vielhausgehöfte were found during archaeological excavations. They consisted of a large dwelling house with many functional outbuildings. A large residential stable house is typical of northern Europe. The many outbuildings speak rather for a Celtic settlement. The function of the buildings has been researched in detail. During the winter the large livestock and the family move into the dwellings. Other animals and especially the small livestock move into their own stables and buildings. In addition, there were workshops, which were housed in well-tempered pit houses, storage buildings and shelters. The roofing was probably made of reed or wooden shingles.

Roman park Bergkamen

Germanic homestead

Roman Park Bergkamen

Germanic homestead