The german experiences and the roman villa of Borg - Centre des ...

Les expériences aLLemandes et La viLLa
romaine de Borg (sarre, aLLemagne)
résumé
Bettina Birkenhagen
conservateur, Perl, Borg
La villa romaine de Borg est de type villa rustica, un ensemble agricole, comprenant un
secteur palatial (pars urbana) avec un manoir et un grand secteur économique (pars rustica).
Depuis l’époque romaine, il y a eu très peu d’activités agricoles ou architecturales,
ce qui fait que les vestiges sont en très bon état de conservation.
La villa romaine de Borg comprend l’ensemble des fouilles de l’une des villae les plus
grandes de la région Saar Mosel ainsi que la reconstruction complète de la partie palatiale
de cette installation (pars urbana). Dans la mesure du possible, cette reconstitution se
fonde sur des découvertes locales ou sur des résultats de fouilles d’installations similaires
de la région (Echternach au Luxembourg, par exemple). Lorsque cela s’avère nécessaire,
la littérature antique (Vitruve, par exemple) ou contemporaine est consultée (pour la reconstitution
des peintures murales, par exemple).
Aujourd’hui, les édifices reconstruits se dressent sur les fondations des murs romains
(autant que possible) et restituent l’apparence que les édifices étaient censés avoir à
l’époque, c’est à dire entre le ii e et iii e siècle après J.-C.
Les objectifs de la reconstruction de la villa romaine de Borg sont essentiellement les suivants
: une place primordiale accordée à l’authenticité aussi bien qu’à la fonctionnalité de
l’aménagement ; de manière tout aussi importante, la volonté de rendre accessible l’approche
de l’archéologie, du monde de l’Antiquité et de ses fouilles de manière descriptive
pour le plus grand nombre de visiteurs, de jeunes et d’enfants. Avec les fouilles en cours,
nous espérons trouver de nouveaux résultats intéressants qui viendront s’ajouter à nos
connaissances sur les colonies romaines.
L’accès au patrimoine gallo-romain est rendu possible par l’aménagement qui est propice
aux visites familiales, ainsi qu’à tout autre public, spécifique ou non. Le nombre important
de visiteurs par an (50 000 env.), en provenance non seulement des pays voisins, mais du
monde entier, prouve que ce type de conservation du patrimoine culturel est bien accepté
et rencontre un intérêt très large.

the german experiences and
the roman viLLa of Borg (saar, germany)
abstract
Bettina Birkenhagen
Heritage Curator, Perl, Borg
The Roman Villa Borg is a so-called Villa Rustica, an agricultural facility, with a palatial manorial
area (Pars Urbana) and a great economical area (Pars Rustica). Since Roman times there was
very few agricultural and architectural activity, so that the Roman remains and foundations are
still in very good condition.
The Roman Villa Borg unites both the excavation of one of the largest villa rustica in the Saar
Mosel area and the complete reconstruction of the manorial area (Pars Urbana) of such a facility.
As far as possible, this reconstruction is based on local findings or on excavation findings
of similar facilities of the region (e.g. Echternach in Luxemburg). If necessary, either antique
literature (eg. Vitruve) or modern literature (eg. for the reconstruction of the wall paintings) was
consulted. Today, the reconstructed buildings stand on the antique Roman foundation walls
again (as far as possible) and show the assumed appearance of the facility in the 2nd to 3rd
century AD.
The objectives of the reconstruction of the Roman Villa Borg are mainly the following: exceptional
importance is attached to the authenticity as well as to the operability of the facility.
There is also the will of making the archaeology and antiquity accessible in a descriptive way
for the visitors and to facilitate for children and young people the approach to antique history,
finds and features. With the further excavations we expect new and interesting research results,
which extend the knowledge over Roman settlement history.
Target-group-specific the entrance to the Gallo-Roman inheritance is made possible by the
family-friendly adjustment of the Villa for all subpopulations. The numerous visitors (annually
approx. 50,000) - meanwhile not only from the neighbouring countries, but from the whole
world - prove that this kind of preserving the cultural inheritance is accepted and encounters
a broad interest.

the german experiences and
the roman viLLa of Borg
(saar, germany)
Bettina Birkenhagen
Heritage Curator, Perl, Borg
the roman Villa borg is a so-called Villa rustica, an agricultural facility, with a palatial
manorial area (Pars urbana) and a great economical area (Pars rustica). the
facility is situated next to the border to Luxemburg and France in the saar mosel area in
a wooded range between the villages borg and Oberleuken, com. Perl, district merzig-
Wadern. since roman times there was very few agricultural and architectural activity,
so that the roman remains and foundations are still in very good condition.
the roman Villa borg unites both the excavation of one of the largest villa rustica in the
saar mosel area and the complete reconstruction of the manorial area (Pars urbana) of
such a facility. as far as possible, this reconstruction is based on local findings or on
excavation findings of similar facilities of the region (e.g. Echternach in Luxemburg). If
necessary, either antique literature (e.g. Vitruv) or modern literature (e.g. for the reconstruction
of the wall paintings) was consulted. today, the reconstructed buildings stand
on the antique roman foundation walls again (as far as possible) and show the assumed
appearance of the facility in the 2nd to 3rd century aD. Exceptional importance is
attached to the authenticity as well as to the operability of the facility.
HIstOry OF rEsEarcH anD ExcaVatIOn
The history of the excavation already began about 1900, when the teacher Johann Schneider
observed unnatural elevations in the terrain. He found bricks and wall remainders besides
Roman ceramics. Because of the two World Wars the research of Schneider unfortunately fell
into oblivion, and more than half a century passed until this spot again drew the attention of
science. Expanded illicit excavations threatened to destroy the ground-monument to such an
extent, that the State Conservation Department of the Saarland in 1986 felt bound to establish
a systematic excavation.
As a body responsible for this project, the district Merzig-Wadern respectively the Cultural
Foundation of the district of Merzig-Wadern was found. Since August 1986, an area of about
2 hectares was released on the spot, fenced in and prepared for excavation. In cooperation
with the community Perl as property owner and the employment office of Saarlouis and Merzig
the archaeological investigations began on April the 1st 1987. By establishing an infrastructure
like an excavation house with office-rooms, lounges and storerooms, ideal working
conditions were created. Because of the large find accumulation, first of all ceramics and wall
paintings, an additional building was established in winter 1987/88, which is used as magazine
and workshop. In summer 1989 a third house was built, which served the visitor support
and also cultural meetings. Interested groups, particularly grades, have been informed about
the excavation with modern media (slide show and video). These tasks have been taken over
by the new media house as well as by the large hall and the seminar room after the completion
of the living and working quarters.
In 1994 the resolution was passed to reconstruct the facility, respectively the manorial area. In
1997, the first complex of buildings (bath with Tavern) was finished, 2004 the last building so
far, the gatehouse, was handed over to its regulation. Further excavations and reconstructions
are in planning.
During the excavations of the Pars Urbana, pre-Roman findings could be proven as well.
Apart from Iron-Age settlement structures (postholes, pits etc.), which appeared directly under
the Roman stone foundations, also graves from the Urn field culture as well as a funeral from
the Bell beaker culture were proven. In addition, isolated finds of flint tools and -fragments
were made, which already point to settlement activity in the Neolithic period. The level of

knowledge so far points to a sporadic use of the residential area around the Villa Borg from
the Neolithic period over the Bronze Age up to the early Iron Age. From the late Iron Age into
the late Roman period, a continuous settlement of the place is clearly proven (from the 1st
century BC up to the end of the 4th century AD).
The excavation was highly revaluated in 1994 by its admission into the key program «Kelten,
Germanen, Rˆmer im Mittelgebirgsraum zwischen Luxemburg und Th¸ringen» of the German
research association (DFG), which contains the study of «Romanisation». Parts of the results
are issued in the publication of Dr. Martin Frey «Die Terra Sigillata der galloroemischen
Villa Borg, Kreis Merzig-Wadern» as well as in A. Haffner/S. von Schnurbein (Hrsg.), «Kelten,
Germanen, Rˆmer im Mittelgebirgsraum zwischen Luxemburg und Th¸ringen. Kolloquien zur
Vor- und Fr¸hgeschichte 5. Akten des Internationalen Kolloquiums zum DFG-Schwerpunktprogramm
«Romanisierung» in Trier vom 28. bis 30. September 1998 (Bonn 2000)».
The objective of all these efforts is to give visitors the possibility to experience antiquity in an
interesting way. Three-dimensionality obtain the space feeling; wall paintings, furniture as well
as the representation of functional details illustrate the housing comfort and the technical
achievements of that time.
HOW tO crEatE accEssIbILIty FOr a PubLIc
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
From the outset it was a request of the Cultural Foundation to make the results of the scientific
investigations accessible for a broad public. Already soon after opening the first sketches, the
question about the securing of the archaeological findings arose. For all involved partners it
was clear that, even with the most expensive preservation methods, the architectural findings
in the area could only be kept up medium-term. In order to secure the antique substance at
longer term, the partners in the decision-making bodies considered establishing a protective
building.
The spatial effect of the no longer existing original is taken up by the appearance of the protective
building, which - even with the biggest restraint - goes beyond its actual function. In order
to counteract that, a timber construction was planned, which should allusively be an approach
of the original structure. Different criteria (purely functional, modern arrangement, following
the appearance of the buildings etc.) were discussed and calculated. Finally, the model of a
protective building turned out to be unsatisfactory, since the substance, which was to be protected,
would essentially have consisted of foundations. Therefore another solution was searched
for. After numerous discussions and several colloquia with specialists from home and
abroad, the Culture Foundation of the district Merzig-Wadern (as the body responsible of the
facility) in agreement with the National Office for Conservation came 1994 to the decision not
only to excavate the entire facility, but also to reconstruct it scientifically. All involved partners
were conscious that this project was not an original and detailed reproduction, but a model
conception, in which also hypotheses and possibilities are to be pointed out and converted.
The modern buildings are established on the antique foundations, which has the consequence
that the manor house is not right-angled. This circumstance however is noticeable rather with
the view of the sketch plan than on the premises themselves. The building phase, in which the
mansion had its largest expansion (from 2. to the 3. century AD) is reconstructed.
Nevertheless every information and finding won by the excavation was to be integrated into
the reconstruction on the antique foundations. Also different sources (historical literary sources,
research results of other excavations etc.) were consulted. For these reasons, Borg is
rather a model on a scale 1:1 than a reconstruction. Still there are voices, which express
themselves against such a reconstruction. Conserving the existing findings would surely have
been the archaeologically correct method. However, do not the constantly high numbers of
visitors in Borg and other facilities e.g. in Pompeii show that the visitors not only want to see
foundation walls? That e.g. children and young persons do not at all know what to do with
such «ruin fields»? It does surely not make sense to reconstruct each excavated facility again.

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
But archaeologists as well can get important insights during the reconstruction of buildings,
which would not have been illustrated by simply evaluating the results of the excavation. The
Roman bath with Tavern - the first section - was finished 1997. The director of the archaeological
park in xanten, Dr. Gundolf Precht, was very helpful with the implementation of this
building as well as with the following building projects.
tHE rEcOnstructIOn OF tHE buILDIngs
From the first cut of the spade to the opening of the first reconstructed building, 10 years
passed by. In this time there was much discussed, planned, rejected, and planned again. The
scientific realizations and requirements faced the different desires of the owners, which had
to withdraw again behind certain construction specifications. Altogether, after fighting over a
decision for a long time, one agreed on a concept, which is continued until today.
Why did one decide for an in-situ-reconstruction? This had surely several reasons. First there
was a need to protect the walls against further destruction by weather and environmental
conditions. Secondly, at the beginning of the excavations it had been already decided that
also the Pre-Roman findings should be examined. As the excavation plans clearly indicate,
an Iron Age settlement with at least three buildings beneath the Roman stone foundations
could be proven. To accomplish an exact investigation here, the Roman foundations had to
be cleared away to be able to examine the wooden building preceding the manor house. A
majority of the walls were not as well or only partially preserved before the reconstruction.
Also the different Roman building phases made a partial dismantling of the brickwork around
the one of earlier building periods necessary to be able to document these early phases. Also
considerations were made to establish the reconstruction in direct proximity of the excavation.
This thought was however rejected again.
To let the plant rise at its original place also belonged to the concept of reconstructing the villa
as authentically as possible and also as a scientifically founded reconstruction of the buildings.
Since 1997 four sections were finished, as follows:
the roman bath with tavern.
From the beginning, it was planned to reconstruct that bath fully functional. By the reconstruction
of the Roman bath the visitor has the possibility to experience «Roman live» first-hand.
While public hot springs and soldier baths followed only a few sketches and operation diagrammes
and therefore were very well to arrange and to classify. Private mansion baths are
characterised by an indeterminable number of variants. Here the taste of the client and not
least the size of his purse are reflected. The bath did not only serve for hygiene in the antiquity.
It was firmly merged into the daily routine (preferred bathing time: afternoon) and an informal
event. One bathed with friends, acquaintance, business partners and the family. Private and
business agreements were made or the current daily politics discussed. Since the daily bath
had such a high value, the actual bath areas are often attached with a dwelling character,
which served the recovery, relaxation, communication in the broadest sense and were furnished
accordingly.
the small input area fulfils the function of a wind shield.
The dressing room (apodyterium) follows this concept. The shelves served for the file of the
dresses and bath implements. Wood-sandals were necessary, because the floors within the
warm bath range became very hot by the under-floor heating. From the entrance area of the
bath also the latrine is accessible. The water flushing took place via a channel, which ran under
the floor of the building. The water from the roof was collected in eaves (Rigolen) along the
inner court and then passed through a pipe to the latrine.

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
the cold bath or frigidarium in such a way specified follows the entrance
area and the dressing room.
The unusually large water basin with the narrow and uncomfortable steps follows the archaeological
findings. For the ceiling painting in the tunnel vault there are references in the find
material: In the debris were found curved finery remainders (reference to tunnel vault) with blue
basic painting and the fragmentary representation of fish and sea animals. The soil consists of
«Roman screed», in the antiquity opus signinum mentioned. From here the bath user gets to
the hot bath or caldarium. The floor mat consists of marble. During the excavation so many
marble fragments were found that the plentiful use of marble is secured. Where the marble
for the equipment of the Roman Villa Borg was exploited is unfortunately not well known.
Investigations, which were accomplished at the marble of the Roman mansion in Echternach
(Luxembourg) have however shown that this originated from Carrara (Italy). The warm water
for the hot bath flows from the muzzle of the lion head into the basin. The water is heated in
a boiler, which is beyond the wall in the heating room. The well (labrum) delivered cool water
for refreshmentt into the stuffy atmosphere. The following area is equipped as quiescent area.
Also for the painting in this area could be fallen back to the find material, since large connected
surfaces of painted finery remainders from a find layer under the screed of handling were
saved.
the last area is the tempered bath or tepidarium.
The groined vault could be proven over the projections in the corners of the room. The statue
represents Clio, the muse of history. She was not found here, but fits however very well,
particularly since there are several Roman mosaic floors in the region, on which this muse is
represented. In this area still few connected parts of a mosaic floor in fall situation could be
proven. In the adjacent external area and under the screed of pre-aged handling different mosaic
stones were also found in addition with wall paintings in the partially pompeian style.
The Roman bath is the most interesting part of the villa. In the beginnings conceived as a small
separate bathhouse, it developed itself into an important solidium in the course of the time by
extension and structural alteration measures. This active change could be seen best by the
example of the hot bath, where in the course of renovations the basins were renewed several
times and three basin soils lay directly one above the other. In the cold bath, with certainty after
the upgrading of the bath, a limekiln was built. The place was selected with consideration,
because straight in this building part very much material e.g.
marble and stucco had been blocked, which was suitable for the lime burning excellently.
During a building phase of the bath the possibility exists to enter the tempered bath from the
today’s Tavern trough a door. Of course there never was a Tavern situated in a villa. Here one
took the needs of the visitors into consideration. Today the bath can be used again as in the
antiquity. Groups can rent it and experience the Roman bath pleasure first hand. In addition,
the interior organization of the bath and the Tavern affected partly after collected remains from
pieces of finds in the Villa Borg, partly from comparisons with other villas of the environment.
Further additions, facilities and various operations
Already at the beginning of the excavations beverages and snacks were sold to the visitors
on the facility. The experience showed that most visitors expect snacks, even when little, and
stay longer on the site when provided with these. Besides a normal menu, «Roman» dishes
(according to Apicius) are also offered in the Tavern, again in the context of the «history experience»
concept. The heating plant room is directly attached at the bath. From here both
the under-floor heating was fired, and the hot water for caldarium prepared. The heart of this

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
plant is a large boiler, in which the bath water was heated by an under-grate firing. The boiler
consists of riveted copper sheet and is encased to the lagging with stones (model: Findings
from Boscoreale, Italy). From other discovery sites is also well known that there were a line
system and «mixing taps», with which the temperature of the bath water could be adjusted.
Into the next section, the manor house was reconstructed. The main building or manor house
surely accommodated the dwellings of the family in Roman time. Beside the large entrance
hall, which served representative purposes, the sleep and dwellings of the family were probably
accommodated in the adjacent areas above it. The receipt hall of the villa was again
established like the remaining building accurately on the antique foundation walls.
The plan design of the main wing leads to the assumption that the building was two-storey.
For the development of the upper floors over the smaller secondary rooms therefore two stairs
were necessary, which were accommodated in the narrow passages to both sides of the
hall. From the equipment of the hall only small remainders were kept due to the misuse and
destruction in Roman time. The floor was decorated with a mosaic, which according to the
mode of the buildings time of origin was black and white. Unfortunately only little is received
connected. In addition, a large number of individual bricks were found in the debris and layers
and in the mortar of later building phases. In the centre, a part of the mosaic is reconstructed
as verge of the water basin. Also the water basin is proven in the excavation findings clearly
by its foundation and is attached to water tubes and channels. A small remainder of a pilaster
(half column) from limestone is also proven and therefore one can expect an architectural
arrangement of the walls, like it is admit by other Roman luxury villas of the Trier surrounding
countryside. They served as model for the reconstruction of the hall walls in Borg, however
with the modification that the architecture of the arrangement is limited to the upper wall zone.
The lower zone was arranged, following Italian models and the find material, only pictorial.
Today a museum is established in these rooms to be able to present the finds from the excavation
in Borg and from the district Merzig-Wadern to the visitors. The living and working
quarters with meeting hall and media house are the third section. Here again the needs of the
visitors were taken into consideration. The excavation finds brought many small areas, which
probably were used as living and working quarters for the slaves. Since such a room layout
would have been only insufficiently usable into today’s time, one decided to design a large hall
in which different meetings can take place. On the upper floor is an additional small seminar
room for meetings with a small number of participants. In the Media house, which is attached
directly to the living and working quarters, a slide show in different languages (German/English/French)
about the villa and the surroundings is shown.
The gatehouse is the so far last section and handed over to the public in 2004. As it was
already in Roman time, here is the central entrance to the manorial area with the admission
counter and the museum shop. The upper areas are used as administrative offices, without
which a facility like the Villa Borg cannot be led. This building and the following wall separate
the Pars Rustica from the Pars Urbana. It stands on the determined original foundation walls.
Like the manor house it is a model on a scale 1:1, which shows only one of the possible building
phases. The excavation showed clearly a passage as well as two large areas, to which in
each case two further, substantially diminished areas are attached. It was stated by detailed
investigations of the brick-work and the teeth of the individual brick-work sections that the
building was not established all at once.
To a building of cores at first developed, gradually further building parts were cultivated and so
the plant was brought to the now existing size. This process took at least four phases, during
which the building developed to a gate house, which in its size is to be regarded as rather
unusual for a villa. Towards the end of the villa the gatehouses use changed. Indications for
that process are the stove places and furnaces inserted later, which were discovered likewise
during the excavation. Findings of cinder prove that metalworking took place here and of semi
finished bone articles refer to a bone carver.

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
The planned kitchen is to be reconstructed fully functionally just like the bath, so that the visitors
again have the possibility to experience «Roman life». The excavations also furnished the
fragments of water pipelines (impact rings of wood water tubes) beside furnace remainders.
Besides, there was also find material referring clearly to the use of this area as a kitchen (boiler
pendant, store vessels, knives etc.). Apart from cooking demonstrations, workshops for children
and adults are to take place here about Roman kitchen and cooking as well.
The entire ensemble is completed by the gardens. These were put on and cared for in cooperation
with the EU-project «Gardens without Limits». Also within this field, one tried to
include available research results of the excavations. To arrange the gardens as authentically
as possible, partly in Borg accomplished pollen analyses, partly literature was used again.
An herb garden belonged probably to each mansion and therefore beside the mansion bath
such a garden was put on. Here grow spices and remedial plants, which were often used in
Roman times. In the kitchen garden fruit and vegetables can be found that already in Roman
times belonged to the menu. Many of the plants disappeared from today’s gardens and their
appearance is unknown to many visitors. These plants were explained by a signpost and
particularly offered garden guidance to the visitors. All sorts of fruit, vegetable and herbs are
used for the preparation of the Roman and regional dishes in the Tavern. Rose garden and
inner court garden are likewise conceived after Roman model and are to give an idea of the
Roman garden architecture. Beside the plant of ways and patches, typical for Roman gardens,
importance was also attached to fountains, which were an important element of garden
architecture in Roman times.
tHE FInancIng scHEmE
70 % of the costs of the building reconstructions were taken over by subsidies of the Saarland
federal state government. The remaining 30 % were gained by own contribution of the workers in
Borg. The Roman Villa Borg is part of the Cultural Foundation of the district Merzig-Wadern. This
is carried partly by the district Merzig-Wadern, partly by the Sparkasse Merzig-Wadern. Nine of
the workers employed at the Villa Borg are employees of the Cultural Foundation and paid by the
district Merzig-Wadern. Further personnel, especially guides (5 persons) are paid on commission
from the fees. The resulting rationing costs of the plant (repairs, river, water, heating etc.) must be
gained over the incomes (admission fees, guidance-repay, lettings etc.). Additional workers (currently
10) are made available by the employment office in the framework of so-called 1- Euro-jobs.
They are, just like the ABM (job-creating measures) forces employed in the past, mainly active in
the excavation area. Without these co-workers further excavations are not possible.
Altogether the project has a total volume of approx. 10 Mill. Euro. Besides the Federal state
government also the employment office supported the project in the past by the provision of
job-creation scheme workers.
tEcHnIcaL PrObLEms OF tHE rEcOnstructIOn
Whenever modern construction specifications, experimental archaeology and historic architectural
core are to be interconnected, the limits of such a project were reached. An important
point here is the observance of construction specifications and defaults of the building
authorities. Already during the planning phase different hurdles had to be taken. Frequently
it was very difficult to explain the responsible persons that Roman windows are not subject
to a German DIN regulation, or that the measures of doors in Roman time were not all the
same. Something similar applies to stairs. A further problem developed with the heaters. The
question about an under-floor heating was unproblematic; the problem became more difficult
for exhaust derivative. Naturally no chimneys can be attached on a Roman roof, as they are
perfectly normal on today’s roofs. Thus a solution had to be found here in tough negotiations,
which placed all parties contently.

Also the question of the materials to be used is a frequent point at issue, mostly in financial
regard. The archaeologically correct method would have been the use of antique building
materials such as wood and loam. But completely apart from the financial aspect it would be
surely difficult to find someone who can work with this material and provide large buildings.
Furthermore, larger problems with construction specifications and editions had also to be solved
again. In Borg one decided therefore for a compromise. Within those ranges the visitors
cannot recognize the material, modern building materials were used, e.g. the walls were made
of hollow bricks, cleaned and then painted. The roof however was covered with bricks, which
correspond to Roman models.
Further problems arising with reconstructions are the question about the validity of the find
material respectively its interpretation. Thus in Borg only relatively few architecturally usable
pieces were found. The few parts were strongly fragmented, so that only a limited interpretation
was possible. In such cases one fell back on results of other excavations (e.g. cover
organization in the hall of the manor-house after research results of the Villa Echternach/
Luxembourg). On the other hand we found a lot of fragments from the wall paintings as well
as parts from the floors (marble, fragments from tesselated pavement, Terrazzo). So we were
able to reconstruct these parts as authentically as possible.
Naturally, for certain problems still no satisfying solution was found. It also was clear that
areas have do be lit up. Electrical light is unavoidable. One however endeavoured to keep
the lighting as discretely and inconspicuously as possible. In most areas an indirect lighting is
used, which probably comes next to lighting with oil lamps or torches/flares. In the areas of the
museum emitters had to be attached, so that the exhibits for the visitor are also well visible.
It is similar with certain safety defaults of fire brigade and guard. So it is naturally problematic
to attach rescue ladders on the second floor of a Roman building in order to provide a fire
escape in case of a fire. Also setting up fire extinguishers visible for everyone in a Roman bath
represents a problem, just as the different floor mats and stairway step heights. The rules for
the prevention of accidents here also mean that these things are to be marked to the visitor
by clear warning references and sign-posts on the spot. In Borg one tries to inform the visitor
before entering the plant about these problems by boards, so that the plant can actually remain
free of this information.
Likewise from the beginning of the reconstruction, the question of the further use of the facility
respectively individual rooms came up. Here also a temporary solution was found in Borg that
pleased all parties. Apart from the reconstructions on the basis of the find material respectively
the archaeological building findings and the historical sources (bath, manor house), other
areas followed the antique outer appearance. the interior fittings however were implemented
according to modern conditions and requirements (living and working quarters, gate house).
Thereby a multiple use of the premises (conference and meeting area, entertaining groups of
visitors etc.) should get easier.
The reconstruction can always just be a snapshot of the so far existing research results. By
further investigations and excavations, it is quite possible that the research comes to completely
different results after 10 or 20 years than processed in the reconstruction.
HOW tO usE tHE rEcOnstructIOn
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
How can a reconstruction like the Villa Borg be used? However, by the conveyance of historical
facts a facility like the Villa Borg can not work. Surely the museum character constitutes
a large part of the facility, but the visitors would not only like to be didactically entertained but
also to try out things themselves. Thus the «archaeology or history hands-on» takes a large
range in the total concept of the Villa Borg. According to this concept the bath building was reconstructed
fully functional and can be used again. In the manor house a museum is accommodated
and in some of the rooms furniture like stools, tables, cupboards etc. following the
Roman model were set up. In the living and working quarters frequently exhibitions or lectures

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
to archaeological topics take place. In addition the exhibition of a private collector is resident,
which opens to the visitor the possibility to take the originals into the hand and to literally grasp
history at fixed dates. It is also possible to participate in the archaeological excavations. Special
programs for children and young people are offered or in preparation. Since a very mixed
crowd visits the facility, also the range of meetings and offers (e.g. concerts, fairs, conferences,
lectures etc.) has to vary. Naturally also special meetings about archaeology (including
the experimental archaeology) as well as the topic of Romans (e.g. Roman days) are offered.
In July an «archaeological weekend» takes place and informs the visitor about all ranges of
the archaeology - from the excavation to the museum. Different organizations and institutes
e.g. the National Office for Conservation of the Saarland or the archaeological institutes of
the University of Saarbruecken participate in it. Apart from the possibility to take part at the
excavation, the visitors are informed about find restoration, replica production and research
projects. At the Roman days the visitors have the possibility to observe legions during military
exercises and camp life. In addition, craftsmen offer views of their art. Gladiators complete the
image with fights. Of course one can also enjoy Roman meals and beverages.
Most projects are designed both for adults and for children or young people. In addition lots
of inquiries from companies and private people come to the premises for conferences or celebrations
as well as reservations over Event agencies, which need a special surrounding for
their meetings.
OutLOOk
As already mentioned at the beginning, the Villa Borg ranks among the largest properties in
the Saar Mosel area, with a total volume of approx. 7.5 hectares. It is divided into a manorial
area - Pars Domestica or Pars Urbana - and an economical area - Pars Rustica. The auxiliary
buildings of the Pars Rustica, which are not excavated appear clearly as over a dozen debris
hills in the forest area following northwest. About the function of the auxiliary buildings of such
large facilities relatively few is known. Starting from the next year the excavations within this
range of the facility shall start. It is not impossible that also within this range one or two buildings
are reconstructed completely.
It is also a request to bring the topic of archaeology with all its facets nearer to the visitors.
An «archaeological didactic exhibition» is planned in this range of the facility, where the visitor
can see different areas and stages of an excavation and in addition receives explanations to
different topics concerning archaeology. 2006 the reconstruction of the Roman kitchen is to
begin. Apart from the possibility to inform the visitor about cooking and food in Roman time
also a small showroom with finds from this range is planned.
In addition in the year 2002 nearby the facility a new parking lot was laid out. Already before
commencement of construction, magnetometric investigations were accomplished, which
showed a multiplicity of buildings. Only parts of this settlement were excavated and examined.
Besides some smaller building remainders (building 2 to 4) were also wall courses of a
larger plant (building 1). Also the remainders of two wells (one directly behind building 1, one
within the range of building 3) were found here. In order to arrange a small impression from
the buildings and the dimension for the visitors, the foundation walls of building 1 were partly
reestablished. Further wall courses, which point to further building remainders outside of the
excavation area, could not be examined yet. The so far only skeleton of the facility is worth
mentioning in connection with building 3. However it does not concern here a regular funeral,
but the, as meanwhile is known, male person probably was victim of a crime.
It is planned on a long-term basis to use the parking lot as starting point for a footpath by the
economic sector over the former artery to the villa.
Further investigations concern the burial grounds, of which the approximate position is known.
Interesting findings are also expected here e.g. about the owner of the facility or the number
of inhabitants.

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
Unfortunately it is not possible for the moment to show the findings from the Villa Borg in an
own museum. For this reason the manor-house serves as place of issue. Many visitors already
expressed the desire that these areas are furnished again as dwellings and the showcases
are removed from this range. For the future there is planning that possibly one of the auxiliary
buildings not excavated yet could serve as museum and the manor house can be used again
in accordance to its original use.
The objective of the reconstruction of the Roman Villa Borg is to make the archaeology and
antiquity accessible in a descriptive way for the visitors and to facilitate for children and young
people the approach to antique history, finds and features. With the further excavations we
expect new and interesting research results, which extend the knowledge over Roman settlement
history. Target-group-specific the entrance to the Gallo-Roman inheritance is made
possible by the family-friendly adjustment of the Villa for all subpopulations. The numerous
visitors (annually approx. 50,000) - meanwhile not only from the neighbouring countries, but
from the whole world - prove that this kind of preserving the cultural inheritance is accepted
and encounters a broad interest.

IbLIOgraPHy
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
Birkenhagen, B., Die Römische Villa Borg – Ein Begleiter durch die Anlage (Merzig 2004).
Brûck, J., « Die Ausgrabung einer römischen Großvillenanlage bei Borg », Saarheimat, 33,
1989, 196-199.
Brûck, J., « Die Villa von Borg ». In: Lichardus, J./ Miron, A., Der Kreis Merzig-Wadern und die
Mosel zwischen Nennig und Metz, Führer zu archäologischen Denkmälern in Deutschland 24
(Stuttgart 1992).
Brûck, J., Das Projekt Römische Villa Borg - Entwicklung und Ergebnisse seit 1986, Heimatbuch
Landkreis Merzig-Wadern 2000, 341-359.
Brûck, J./Frey, M., « Römische Villa und keltische Traditionen », in: Rieckhoff, S./Biel, J., Die
Kelten in Deutschland (Stuttgart 2001) 442-445.
Frey, M., « Die römische Villa von Borg. Ein reiches Landgut mit vorrömischer Tradition », in :
Haffner, A./von Schnurbein, S. (Hrsg.), Kelten, Germanen, Römer im Mittelgebirgsraum zwischen
Luxemburg und Thüringen: Akten des Internationalen Kolloquiums zum DFG- Schwerpunktprogramm
«Romanisierung», vom 28. bis 30. September 1998 in Trier (Bonn 2000) 41-50.
Frey, M., Die Terra Sigillata der gallorömischen Villenanlage bei Borg, Landkreis Merzig-
Wadern. Bericht der Staatlichen Denkmalpflege im Saarland, Beiheft 5 (Saarbrûcken 2001).
Heck, L., « Blaue Pigmentkugeln aus der römischen Villa von Borg. Frûhe chemische Industrie
auf der Basis des Azuritbergbaus zwischen Mosel und Saar », Metalla (Bochum) 6.1, 1999,
13-39.
Kell, J. H., Geschichte des Kreises Merzig (Saarbrücken 1925).
Miron, A. (Hrsg.), Das Badegebäude der römischen Villa von Borg. Mit Beiträgen von Joachim
Brûck, Martin Frey, Kurt Kûhnen, Auguste V.B. Miron und Andrei Miron, (Merzig 1997).
Scholl, E., « Lag «CARANVSCA» zwischen Borg und Oberleuken », Saarheimat, 29, 1985,
117-120.
Scholl, E., Freilegung einer römischen Anlage zwischen Borg und Oberleuken, Heimatbuch
Landkreis Merzig-Wadern 1986, 294-298.
Wiethold, J., « Kontinuität und Wandel in der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion und Nahrungsmittelversorgung
zwischen Spätlatenezeit und gallo-römischer Epoche. Archäobotanische
Analysen in der römischen Großvillenanlage von Borg, Kr. Merzig-Wadern », in: Haffner, A./von
Schnurbein, S. (Hrsg.), Kelten, Germanen, Römer im Mittelgebirgsraum zwischen Luxemburg
und Thüringen: Akten des Internationalen Kolloquiums zum DFG- Schwerpunktprogramm
«Romanisierung» vom 28. bis 30. September 1998 in Trier (Bonn 2000) 147-160 14
Wustrow, Ch., « Die Tierreste der römischen Villa Borg, Kr. Merzig-Wadern », in: Haffner, A./von
Schnurbein, S. (Hrsg.), Kelten, Germanen, Römer im Mittelgebirgsraum zwischen Luxemburg
und Thüringen: Akten des Internationalen Kolloquiums zum DFG- Schwerpunktprogramm
«Romanisierung» vom 28. bis 30. September 1998 in Trier (Bonn 2000) 160- 173.
Wustrow, Ch., Die Tierreste aus der römischen Villa von Borg, Kr. Merzig-Wadern (Bonn
2004).
All pictures are from the photo-archives of the Roman Villa Borg.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Fig. 1. Roman Villa Borg: Manor house, bath and Taverne
(right); living andworking quarters (left).
Fig. 2. Excavation of the Manor house (view from east).
Fig. 3. Site plan Villa Borg - Pars Urbana.
Figure 3
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen

Fig. 4. Cold bath (frigidarium)
at Roman bath Villa Borg.
Fig. 5. Hot bath (caldarium)
at the Roman bath Villa Borg.
Fig. 6. Resting room at the
Roman bath Villa Borg.
Figure 4 Figure 5
Figure 6
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen

Figure 7
Fig. 7. Tavern Villa Borg.
Fig. 8. Receipt hall in the Manor house Villa Borg.
Figure 8
THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen

THE GERMAN ExPERIENCES AND
THE ROMAN VILLA OF BORG
(SAAR, GERMANy)
Bettina Birkenhagen
Figure 10
Figure 9
Fig. 9. Finds (erotic scene – bronze;
jewelery – gold; plaque with rider – bronze)
at the museum Villa Borg.
Fig. 10. Gardens (rose garden, herb garden,
kitchen garden, inner court yard garden)
Villa Borg.

Christophe Vallet, President,
Centre des Monuments Nationaux
Michel-Edouard Bellet, Heritage Curator,
former Manager of the Ensérune site,
and Claire-Anne de Chazelles,
Researcher, CNRS
Joan Santacana i Mestre,
Taller de Projectes - Universitat de Barcelona
and Maria Carme Belarte Franco,
Institut Català d’Arqueologia Clàssica
Jean-Claude Golvin,
Senior Scholar, CNRS / Institut Ausonius,
University of Bordeaux III
Joan Santacana i Mestre,
Taller de Projectes, University of Barcelona,
and Maria Carme Belarte Franco,
Researcher, Institut Català d’Arqueologia Classica
Jean-Paul Petit and Jean-Pierre Braun,
Heritage Curators,
Service archéologique de Moselle
Pierre André, Architect,
Archeologist, ESAG, Lyon (France)
Maud Le Clainche,
General Manager
John H. Jameson jr,
Program Manager, ICOMOS
Florian Renucci,
Program Manager
Christian Olive, Researcher,
Service régional de l’Archéologie,
Languedoc-Roussillon
Michel-Edouard Bellet
Heritage Curator
Contents
Introduction
Which questions, for which conference? The spirit. Presentation.
General problems about the restitution
1 QUESTIONS OF METHODOLOGY
I 1. Meaning and definition problems
Résumé Abstract
I 2. Archaeological restitution as model: the Spanish case
Résumé Abstract Texte en catalan
I 3. Development of a restitution area:
The European archaeological park of Bliesbruck-Reinheim
(Moselle, France/Sarre, Germany) Résumé Abstract
I 4. Architectural restitution at Eretria (Eubea, Greece)
Résumé Abstract
I 5. A reconstitution: The archaeological medieval farm of Melrand (Morbihan, France)
Résumé Abstract
I 6. The Reconstructed Past: Glories, Perils and Dilemmas
Résumé Abstract
I 7. Guédelon (Yonne, France):
building a thirteenth century castle, today
Résumé Abstract
I 8. Presenting a neighbourhood’s evolution over 2600 years:
the Saint-Jacques sector, Béziers (hérault, france)
Résumé Abstract
I 9. The gallic oppidum of Ensérune: what future?
Résumé Abstract

Contents
Michel Egloff, professor,
University of Neuchâtel
Philip E. Bennett, manager of Pembrokeshire
Coast National Park Authority
Giovanna Greco, professor,
University of Naples
Jean Chausserie-Laprée,
Heritage Curator
Donald F. Offers,
Chief Restorator
David Rousseau, former Professor,
Researcher in Archaeology, UMR 7041,
Paris 1- Sorbonne – Nanterre
Bettina Birkenhagen,
Heritage Curator – Perl- Borg
Giovanna Battaglini, Professor,
University of Perugia
Vincent Guichard, General Manager,
and Claude Chazelle,
Architect, Landscape-Designer
Marie-Marie-Christine Bailly-Maître, Research
Directoer, CNRS, UMR 6572 LAMM, University
of Provence, and Alain Tillier, Head Architect,
Monuments historiques
Michel Colardelle
Jean-Paul Ciret
2 FACING PROBLEMS IN SITU: SOME EXAMPLES
II 1. Lakeside Prehistory:
Fifteen millenaries of human presence at the Laténium (Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
Résumé Abstract
II 2. Learning from the past: iron age fort,
Castell Henllys (Pembrokeshire, Wales)
Résumé Abstract Whole English text
II 3. Experimental archaeology in Serra Di Vaglio
(Potenza, Basilicate, Italy)
Résumé Abstract Testo italiano completo
II 4. Restitution and habitat enhancement:
the example of Martigues (Bouches-du-rhône, France)
Résumé Abstract
II 5. The Roman City of Augusta Raurica (canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland)
Résumé Abstract Whole English text
II 6. The roman villae:
a presentation to the public
Résumé Abstract Whole English text
II 7. The German experiences and the Roman villa of Borg (Saar, Germany)
Résumé Abstract Whole English text
II 8. From research to enhancement:
The archaeological parc of Fregellae (Latium, Italy)
Résumé Abstract Testo italiano completo
II 9. Making visible the invisible:
Reflexions on the archaeological site of Bibracte (Nièvre, France)
Résumé Abstract
II 10. Enhancement of a medieval village in altitude, constraints and choices:
Brandes-en-Oisans (Isère, France)
Résumé Abstract
CONCLUSIONS
Pour une éthique de la restitution sur les sites archéologiques ?
Et le Centre des monuments nationaux