Roman Temple unearthed in Germany's Taunus Forest

Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a Roman temple in Germany's Taunus region, still containing well-preserved foundations and fragmentary statues of ancient deities.

Storm damage revealed the unusual arrangement of stones that led to the find. The stones formed part of a previously unknown settlement near the Roman fort of Kapersburg in Hesse. Further excavation identified a rectangular structure measuring 16 and a half feet long, with a smaller central chamber surrounded by walls nearly 20 inches thick.

Experts believe the sanctuary may have been an ambulatory temple, its central sacred chamber ringed by a covered walkway. One side of the central chamber appears to have been open, possibly enclosed by a now-lost wooden gate.

"We were absolutely thrilled," Katharina Griesshaber of the Saalburg State Museum told Heritage Daily about the discovery. "Finding such beautiful Roman walls is a real highlight."

The statue fragments add to the significance of the site. They include a deity's hand, possibly representing the Roman god of war Mars, alongside fragmented animals. An almost complete goddess torso, identified as the Roman goddess of victory, still bears wings, a palm branch, and a victory laurel. According to specialists, such objects can shed light on how people worshiped at the time, with gifts often offered in exchange for divine assistance.

A votive stone found in the temple chamber bears a Latin inscription and is currently undergoing further examination by specialists.

The temple is thought to date to the third century CE, the period when the nearby Kapersburg fort was established as part of Rome's frontier in Germania. A piece of jewelry found alongside the temple dates to late antiquity, indicating the site may have remained in use after Roman military occupation ended.

Researchers hope the finds will reveal more about the lives, beliefs, and eventual disappearance of the people who occupied this ancient Roman settlement — potentially including the name of the settlement itself.