Archaeologists uncover rare 2,000-year-old staircase in Roman palace

Archaeologists in Cologne, Germany, uncovered significant Roman-era remains beneath a historic square during preparations for the LVR-Jewish Museum construction. Among the finds was a praetorium, the residence of a Roman provincial governor from the 1st century AD, featuring a rare and mysterious staircase connecting the palace to the Rhine River. Although the exact origin and destination of the staircase remain unknown, its discovery is notable because staircases rarely survive in Cologne archaeology. The terrain’s slope likely necessitated this architectural link to the riverbank. The site also revealed a private sanctuary, or Lararium, with a painted altar dedicated to household guardian deities (Lares), indicating private cult worship within the governor’s residence. The masonry and construction methods at the site diverged from typical Roman techniques, using a unique combination of tuff, basalt, and limestone in the concrete, which contributed to the structure’s exceptional durability. The Romans later renovated the building to preserve it, reflecting the importance of the governor’s