Roman camp, Marktbreit

Roman camp Marktbreit
Info board at the former site of the castrum
Alternative name(s)	Römerlager Marktbreit
Founded during the reign of	Augustus
Founded	ca. 5/6 AD
Coordinates	Coordinates: 49°40′11.8″N 10°9′18.2″E / 49.669944°N 10.155056°E / 49.669944; 10.155056
Town	Marktbreit
State	Bavaria
Country	Germany

The Roman camp at Marktbreit (German: Römerlager Marktbreit) is a Roman legionary camp from the period of Emperor Augustus. It is located in the municipal territory of the Lower Franconian town of Marktbreit on the left bank of the River Main in the district of Kitzingen in the German state of Bavaria.

It is remarkable because until 1985 it was never suspected that a legionary fortress was built so far northeast in Germanic enemy territory.

The historic monument is located at a strategic site northeast of the town on the hill of Kapellenberg, a terrain spur in the acute angle between the Main (Moenus) and the Breitbach stream. Due to the course it follows in this area, the Main forms the so-called Main Triangle. In Antiquity there was almost certainly a ford here.

From this early period, the Marktbreit camp is the only one so far discovered that is located on the Main. It is also the farthest east for its period as well as one of the largest in Germania Magna overall. Archaeological finds show that, earlier, there had been a settlement of the Hallstatt culture on the site. In addition, a grave has been found that is associated with the Corded Ware culture.

The camp was discovered in 1985 by the Aerial archaeologist, Otto Braasch (). Sondages and especially magnetometer research during the investigations in the period 1986 to 1993 by the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege in Würzburg revealed an older, smaller camp, roughly nine hectares in area, and a larger, more recent camp, roughly 37 hectares in size. Of the smaller camp, only the ditch has survived; of the larger one there is a 2.8-metre-wide earth and wood wall and remains of the interior buildings. An architectonic feature is a praetorium (commandant's residence) oriented axially and joined to the principia (staff building). Such a central staff building is found in the Roman camp at Haltern. Along with the irregular ground plan and the design of the gate areas, this detail enables it to be dated to the time of Augustus. Six Roman coins and a terra sigillata stamp give a more precise date of 5 to 9 AD. In addition, soldiers' accommodation blocks (contubernia), defences and gate systems have been investigated.