The theory of ‘Limesfall’ and the material culture of the late 3rd century

Abstract

The word ‘Limesfall’ indicates devastation of the Obergermanisch-Raetische limes by invading barbarians around 260 or 275. Many object-types were dated to the period either before or after the ‘Limesfall’ and this shaped the basic chronology of provincial-Roman archaeology. However, numismatic studies show that coin supply was small-scale and irregular in this period. Therefore, ending coin lists do not necessarily mean that sites were abandoned. Destruction layers are lacking at the Lower Rhine limes and ‘Limesfall’ is an unsubstantiated theory here. The ‘Limesfall’ along the Obergermanisch-Raetische limes may have been a reality, but contrary to earlier beliefs, forts were re-occupied, since Late Roman finds are present. This means that the date range of the Niederbieber find-horizon must be expanded. Many sites have possibly been misdated.