Balneum, Horreum, Granarium – on the interpretation of a building in Rannersdorf (Styria)

Abstract

An exceptional plan of a structure axially symmetrical with a central octagon was excavated in the South-East of the province Noricum. In its first phase the building can be interpreted most likely as a bath, later it was converted into a granary. For late Antiquity such horrea could be identified in several villas, and an association with the annona militaris was suggested. In Noricum this feature is special as no comparable structures are known so far. However, also supraregionally the unusual plan makes the building a remarkable example of late Roman architecture.