It was more than four decades ago that archaeologists first unearthed the remains of the large Roman villa complex at Hechingen-Stein in southwestern Germany. Yet as excavations have continued at this site for the past three decades, more and more fascinating artifacts have been found that shed new light on the way elite Romans lived in the early part of the first millennium. During the most recent round of excavations at this Roman open-air museum, something truly remarkable was discovered on estate grounds. These were more than 100 pieces of fragmented stone blocks from what would have once been a large votive (religious) monument that was constructed by the owner of the villa approximately 1,800 years ago. The Museum That Finds Its Artifacts in the Backyard Excavations at Hechingen-Stein have been carried out annually every year since 1992. They are sponsored by the State Office for Monument Preservation (LAD) in the Stuttgart Regional Council, and by the Roman open-air museum itself. Remarkable Roman Villa Unearthed From a Bronze Age Site in England Massive Hidden Roman Megastructure Unearthed in Reims Cemetery While these excavations have been productive, the votive monument is perhaps the most intriguing discovery that has been made over that time period. The pieces are covered with evocative imagery, all of which is familiar to experts who study Roman culture and religion. Read moreSection: NewsHistory & ArchaeologyAncient PlacesEuropeRead Later