Mithräum von Kempraten

TNMM 261

Excavations on the northwestern edge of the settlement of the small Roman town of Kempraten promoted not only three lime kilns but also surprisingly a Mithraeum from the 3rd and 4th centuries AD. This is the third temple devoted to Mithras found in Switzerland yet.

The rectangular building with mortared foundation walls, wooden, windowless construction and shingle roof was located away from the Roman settlement directly on the lake shore. Externally inconspicuous, it covered an artificial depression elaborated out of the rock. If one belonged to the cult community - the Mithras cult was reserved only for men - one entered the cave-like cult room illuminated by torches through a small anteroom. On both sides of a central corridor were elevated benches. Then the initiates, lying in Roman style, took the cult meal. At the end of the room stood in front of the visible rock the larger-than-life cult image of the god Mithras. Next to and along the benches stood altars dedicated to the invincible Mithras. The Mithräum was at least partially damaged several times by fires. So much can be reconstructed just a few days after the excavation has been completed.

The excavations were carried out with care corresponding to the importance of the finding. The importance is particularly evident in the wealth of the recovered finds. Numerous ceramic and Lavez fragments come from the dishes used by cult mowers. Due to the animal bones found, one can conclude that one mainly ate poultry, which was very expensive at the time. The special function of the building underlines objects characteristic of the cult such as rock crystals, boar-eaters or clay balls and many coins. Extraordinary are the good dozen stone altar fragments with inscriptions as well as the parts of the cult image of the larger-than-life Mithras made of sandstone.

During the excavation, numerous samples were taken for scientific investigations. Together with the other finds, these will allow as many details as possible about the Mithras cult and the course of the rites in a future evaluation. First, thousands of finds must now be carefully cleaned, labeled, inventoryed and professionally packaged. The metal finds and the stone objects as well as the preparation of the samples require a special effort. The know-how of various specialists is required so that a scientific evaluation can be projected afterwards. The long-term goal is a scientific evaluation with publication and the associated public relations work.