- Palzem
A Roman bridge across the Mosel between the present-day towns of Palzem (D) and Stadtbredimus (L), built before the middle of the 1st century AD, underlines the importance of the site in the ancient road network. Wooden piles from the mid-2nd century BC recovered from the river are probably part of a landing stage, while stone slabs in the riverbed are from a medieval ford.
Groups of wooden piles up to 50 cm thick were found along a wide band running across the river. They were driven as much as 1.50 cm deep into the riverbed and had iron tips known as “pile shoes”. The piles served as gratings for the foundations supporting the stone piers of a bridge. Using the scientific method of tree-ring dating (dendrochronology), the piles could be dated to the period AD 30-50. Five piers could be identified; two piers towards the east bank are missing.
The pile gratings measured 9.60 x 4 m, and together with the piers supported a road carriageway over 6 m wide.
