Archaeologists conducting a preventive excavation in Zalaszentgrót, western Hungary, have uncovered extraordinary remnants of a lost Roman-era city that thrived for nearly three centuries. The discovery of three remarkably preserved 2nd-century wells, two still retaining their original wooden frameworks, provides the first tangible evidence of everyday life in the ancient settlement of Maestriana.
The excavation, carried out by specialists from the Göcseji Museum in Zalaegerszeg, was commissioned by the National Archaeological Institute ahead of a planned construction project. According to Műemlékem.hu Magazine, this represents the first time researchers have discovered physical traces of domestic structures and craft activities from this enigmatic Roman settlement.
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One of the three wells that have been excavated at the Maestriana site. (Műemlékem)
Wells Reveal Thriving Trade Networks
"Our most important find consists of three Roman wells from the 2nd century, all located within a single excavation unit," explained archaeologist Lívia Simmer from the Göcseji Museum. The preservation of the internal wooden structures in two of the wells offers archaeologists an unprecedented glimpse into Roman engineering techniques employed on the Empire's frontier.
Although the wells were deliberately filled in during antiquity, the artifacts recovered from within tell a compelling story of international commerce, comments Daily News Hungary. Among the finds was pottery likely produced in Gaul, indicating that Maestriana maintained active trade connections with the western provinces of the Roman Empire.
Roman pottery fragments recovered from the Maestriana site. (Műemlékem)
A Waystation on the Roman Road
Historical sources describe Maestriana as an important waystation that existed between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. The settlement occupied a strategic position along the road connecting Savaria (modern-day Szombathely) with Fenékpuszta near Lake Balaton. According to Archaeology Magazine, this location made it a vital link in Pannonia's transportation and communication network.
The region's inhabitants were primarily Celtic in origin, gradually adopting Roman lifestyles, architecture, and material culture through a process known as Romanization. This cultural transformation is evident in the construction techniques and artifacts discovered at the site.
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Map of Roman Pannonia showing the location of ancient settlements. (CC0)
Modern Town Obscures Ancient Past
Maestriana's three-century existence has left frustratingly few traces, largely because modern Zalaszentgrót was built directly atop the Roman ruins. Centuries of urban development have either destroyed or concealed most ancient remains, making the recently unearthed wells exceptionally valuable to researchers.
László Vándor, retired director of the Göcseji Museum, recalled previous discoveries in the area:
"A few years ago in Szabadság Street, I identified several building fragments and excavated a Roman-style brick tomb from the very end of the Roman era. It contained the remains of a barbarian-type man, buried with a decorated jug and a long dagger."
These cumulative findings paint a picture of a vibrant, multicultural community that once flourished on the frontier of the Roman Empire, where Celtic traditions met Roman civilization. The discovery continues to shed light on daily life in this overlooked corner of ancient Pannonia.
Top image: Excavation that exposed one of the Roman wells at Roman Maestriana in modern day Hungary. Source: Műemlékem
By Gary Manners
References
Csontos, B., 2025. Traces of a lost Roman-era city found beneath a Hungarian town. Daily News Hungary. Available at: https://dailynewshungary.com/lost-roman-era-city-unearthed-in-hungary/
Archaeology Magazine. 2025. Roman Wells Unearthed in Hungary. Available at: https://archaeology.org/news/2025/10/15/roman-wells-unearthed-in-hungary/
Műemlékem Magazine, 2025. Zalaszentgrót - Maestriana római város kutak. Available at: https://muemlekem.hu/magazin/zalaszentgrot_maestriana_romai_varos_kutak
