Grüssinger:Das Mass ist die Wissenschaft

Modern archaeology has many facets. This is shown once again in the memorial publication for Hans-Joachim Schalles, the Xanten scientist and long-time museum director. Archaeologists who were closely associated with the deceased present an enigmatic Minerva, selected finds from excavations in the area of Colonia Ulpia Traiana (Xanten) and the recently discovered ornamental fitting of a Roman sword scabbard from the Netherlands. What was the function of a mysterious tunnel in the Roman city wall of Cologne and what is hidden behind a small group of Roman tombs north of the Colonia? We learn interesting facts about the beginnings of the Xanten antiquities collection, surprising facts about the contents of the medieval Victor shrine in Xanten Cathedral and find out about archaeological holiday courses organised by archaeologists for teachers in the German Empire. The commemorative publication, which is dedicated to the archaeology of the Roman province of Lower Germania, the history of its reception and the preservation of archaeological monuments, is a reflection of Hans-Joachim Schalles' diverse research interests.