Archeologisch rustpunt Steenland

The Archaeological Rest Point Steenland can be found along the provincial road between Schimmert and Arensgenhout. This resting point is marked by a work of art on the site where archaeological finds have been made in the past. A Roman villa complex was excavated here in 2008 and traces of habitation have not only been found from Roman times, but also from the Iron Age and Full Middle Ages. A large circle with a diameter of nine meters is covered with milled Corten steel parts in various thicknesses.

Three Corten steel columns with information boards have been placed on this. The whole represents a map of the environment, with road structure, with the course of the Geul, with built-up areas and afforestation. The location of sixteen Roman villa complexes found in the area is indicated with round brass plates. For orientation, the surrounding municipality names are also shown on rectangular brass engraved plates.

Between 54 BC and 406 AD Limburg was part of the Roman Empire. Its heyday was between 50 and 250 AD. Roman cities in this region were Tongeren, Maastricht, Heerlen and Aachen, which included temples, bathhouses, markets and administrative buildings. A major road, the Via Belgica, ran from the Channel coast via Maastricht to Heerlen and Cologne.

A large number of Roman villas were situated on unpaved side roads, such as here at the Steenland villa complex. There were already two intersecting roads here in Roman times. From this place one could see several villas 1800 years ago. There was probably a Roman temple near the present Ravensbosch monastery.