A legendary bridge dating back about 1,700 years has been discovered in Switzerland — Interesting Engineering
In Switzerland, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient bridge that had been considered lost for decades. Researchers estimate that the structure is about 1,700 years old, and in the past, it was an important part of the trade and transport route between Italy and the Rhine basin.
Swiss divers have discovered the legendary Roman-era bridge, the location of which researchers had been trying to pinpoint for many years—it is likely the only bridge of its kind on pile supports that has survived to this day.
While preparing to build a new bridge across the Aare River, archaeologists hired by the Cantonal Archaeological Office conducted routine surveys near the city of Solothurn in Switzerland—an area that has long attracted the attention of scholars.
Researchers suspected that a bridge supported by wooden piles had once stood at this very spot. Archaeologists were particularly interested in this area due to its “strategic location” and its role on an important transalpine trade and military route.
When preparations for construction began, archaeologists from the Cantonal Archaeological Office dived underwater several times, guided by old accounts of “wooden pillars” in the river, the article states.
During one of the dives, they discovered a series of wooden piles near the Wengi Bridge in Solothurn.
The piles, slightly less than two meters long, were oriented along the river’s current and provided the first physical evidence of this type of bridge support.
After analyzing the wood and structural remains, archaeologists confirmed the existence of the bridge, dated it to the 4th century CE, and determined that it was linked to the development of the city as a castrum—a fortified Roman settlement.
According to the LBV, this bridge was part of an important road connecting Italy with the Rhine. Sections of this route had previously been found on both sides of the river, leading researchers to conclude that a bridge must have existed here for crossing.
For many years, archaeologists had speculated that the remains of a pile bridge abutment might be preserved in the riverbed near Solothurn. They were led to this conclusion by the characteristics of the local landscape.
Near the city, the Aare River narrows, which helped researchers roughly determine the location of the possible bridge construction.
The city’s historical name—Salodurum—is a Latinized form of a Celtic place name meaning “narrowing of the river” or “gate of the waves.” Until now, no physical evidence of the bridge’s existence had been found—there were only ancient references to “wooden piles” underwater.
It was already known that the Romans settled this region between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. And in the 4th century, due to instability and military threats, defensive walls were erected here, transforming the settlement into a fortified stronghold.
According to researchers, this bridge became a symbol of an empire trying to protect itself from its impending decline.
As Arkeonews explains, the castrum was not just a city wall, but an entire defensive system.
Today, Solothurn is a picturesque Swiss city, but in the Roman era, it held strategic importance due to its location on the Aare River. The region was well-developed and was part of the network of imperial roads.
The Romans built this bridge abutment to strengthen control over the important crossing and prevent significant losses.
Archaeologists note that the remains of a settlement beneath the modern Baroque city center indicate that the Romans deliberately chose this location due to its strategic importance.
Since 1,700-year-old wood deteriorates rapidly upon contact with air, construction work will not disturb the unique piles, which will remain underwater.
Thus, the remains of the bridge will continue to rest at the bottom of the river, preserving the memory of a pivotal period in the history of the Roman Empire.
Archaeologists plan to continue studying the bridge. As Heritage Daily notes, they hope to gain new insights into Roman construction techniques and the role of this crossing in the vast transportation network that connected the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
This is reported by Interesting Engineering.
Read also:
NASA has lost contact with the MAVEN Mars probe
As a reminder, NASA is testing the new X-59 flying machine, which promises silent supersonic flight.
NASA is also threatening to remove SpaceX from the Artemis lunar mission.
