Dill - Mansio

Running directly north of Dill a Roman road leads towards Kirchberg, the ancient Dumnissus.
A cross section through the raised road shows typical Roman construction methods.
On both sides of the approximately 6,6 m wide roadway there were trenches into which rainwater drained.
The road foundation consisted of quartzite stone, over which was laid the actual road surface of crushed quartzite and pebble. This was laid in the form of  a convex curve which guaranteed drainage from the surface. Abrasion and wear and tear to the road surface was very high and thus the roads required extensive maintenance.
Under the rule of Augustus the Roman administration was introduced to the Rhine and Moselle region and the development of a now largely vanished network of roads was begun.
The fact that so many iron age tumuli are situated along Roman roads proves that these roads were built along already existing tracks; either Celtic, or earlier. Tumuli fields were normally placed near pre-historic paths.
Important trunk roads on the middle Rhine and Moselle were the two east – west connections between Treves and the Rhine. One street led over the Eifel; the other one over the Hunsrück heights and thus substantially shortened the journey by avoiding the bends of the Moselle.  
From these trunk roads, which are comparable to today’s motorways, side roads diverged, from which again many smaller roads and paths which led to the settlements and farmsteads.
The track near Mörsdorf is one of those side roads and leads from the present day monastery of  Engelport  to the heights of Hunsrück. 
Today on a steep slope, ascending approximately 30 m, deep lane grooves are still visible. The grooves appeared either through abrasion or were deliberately cut into the stone to allow for the secure passage of heavy carts; their wheels locked into the grooves of the road to prevent sliding off the slope.
In antiquity travellers also carried maps and travel literature. One surviving is a mediaeval copy of an ancient road map from the 5th century A.D. It shows the routes of Roman roads, the roadside halts and the distances between.
According to the late Roman street register the total length of the road between Bingen on the Rhine and Neumagen on the Moselle is 34 leagues or 76km – a distance that travellers of the time covered on foot in three days.
The Roman poet and scientist Ausonius wrote down his travel impressions on his way to Treves during the 4th century A.D. He walked across the dry, dusty plateau near Kirchberg/Dumnissus and through the dense trees and darkness of the Hunsrück.
The Roman population was highly mobile and most of the time travellers went on foot. A legion was capable of marching up to 30km per day with up to 40kg baggage per man.
For heavy loads oxen were harnessed; horses and mules served as mounts and pack animals or pulled light carriages and lesser loads.
Hotels sited close to roads – so called mansiones, comparable to today’s motels – offered accommodation and stabling, as well as facilities for changing horses.  
For the orientation of travellers, milestones – or rather, leaguestones – were placed at regular distances along the road.
The round stone columns with a height of approximately 2m and a diameter of 0,4m indicated the distance to the next main locality.
To this day the language of Roman road construction makes itself heard; the German word for street “Straße” derives from the latin “strata”. 
For the protection of travellers military units, with policing duties, were stationed along the trunk roads.
Via the Roman streets over the rivers Rhone and Moselle live oysters in barrels were brought to Treves.
Olive oil and tropical fruit, such as figs and pomegranate from the Mediterranean area, were also delivered to Roman markets and settlements.
On a plateau near Wederath, along today’s Hunsruck high road, which partly follows the course of the Roman road, the antique Belginum is located.
Only a few kilometres wide the plateau is almost entirely flat and thus perfect for road construction.
In olden times the settlements’ access roads were lined with graves. Positioned thus on the roads, their impact was reinforced; the living were constantly reminded of the dead.
The Roman road passed directly by the temple complex. Here travellers could offer sacrifices for  journeys successfully undertaken  or ask for protection for one about to be made.

[Martin Thoma]