A Roman amphora containing remains of tiny sardine bones has been discovered in Gebenstorf, Switzerland. This the first archaeological evidence found proving that sardines were consumed in Roman Switzerland. The amphora was found in fragments within the remains of a Roman building complex on the Limmat River. Three large buildings were discovered in a rescue excavation prior to construction of a residential development. The complex was almost exactly one Roman mile (2.2 km, 1.4 miles) from the legionary camp of Vindonissa. The first large timber and clay building was constructed in the 1st century A.D. on a deliberately levelled hill. The finds associated with the structure indicate it was a warehouse for goods transported via the river destined for the legionary camp. The remains were so well-preserved that part of the rammed earth walls and the wall paintings that decorated them survived. The western building was a two-aisled hall with porticoes (covered arcades) in front. The central building featured a cryptoporticus, a covered walkway largely sunken into the ground, a common feature of Roman forums (marketplaces). The eastern building had a complex ground plan with several rooms, entrances, corridors, and courtyards. This distinguishes it significantly from the other two large structures. The southern ends of all three buildings lie outside the excavation area and may still be preserved beneath the current cantonal road. The site on the Limmat was therefore likely not only a trading center but also a political and legal hub, possibly even for a planned urban settlement. The building’s role in shipping and storage of goods was confirmed by the discovery of thousands of fragments of shattered amphoras from Italy, southern France and Spain. The excavation also found three stone and ten lead weights for Roman scales, a small folding ruler and writing styluses that underscore the buildings’ commercial and administrative use. The evidence from the complex indicates that the legions at Vindonissa built and operated a transshipment depot to provide their own supplies for about 50 years. The complex was deliberately demolished to the foundations when the 11th Legion withdrew in 101 A.D.  Nothing was rebuilt over it.   The excavation ended in May, but researchers are still studying recovered archaeological material. Among the fragments of shattered amphorae, the team found one complete amphora. It was in fragments, but they were still in place rather than scattered. A greyish-white sediment was visible inside the amphora. To whole object was recovered en bloc and transported to the cantonal archaeology restoration laboratory where the sediment was collected and sent to the University of Basel for analysis. The sediment was strained through several fine sieves. What remained were tiny bones of marine animals from the liquid that had once been contained in the amphora. This liquid was fish sauce, one of the most popular condiments of antiquity. Ancient sources mention various names for it, such as flos liquamen, (h)allec, muria, salsamenta, and perhaps the best-known, garum. These terms denote different qualities of fish sauce. The bones were primarily remains (bones, scales, vertebrae) of Sardina pilchardus, also known as the Atlantic or European sardine. This marine fish is relatively widespread, found in the Northeast Atlantic and also in the Mediterranean. Sardines form very large schools near the coast and are still important food fish today. The remains from the amphora came from very small specimens, less than ten centimeters long. This is the first evidence of sardine remains at a Roman-era site in Switzerland. […] Since the amphora itself can also provide clues about its place of production, an amphora specialist from the cantonal archaeology department examined the fragments. Based on the quality of the clay, the amphora, and therefore also the fish sauce it contained, was likely produced on the coast of the Roman province of Baetica, present-day Andalusia. However, an origin in Gaul, in the area surrounding present-day Lyon, cannot be entirely ruled out. The amphora and its contents were probably manufactured and traded between approximately 25 and 50 AD – comparisons of its form suggest this. The cantonal archaeology department has produced a documentary about the 14-month excavation of the Limmat River Roman building complex. Click the gear icon to select the English language audiotrack and/or English subtitle options.