Excavation in Egna Uncovers Roman Waystation Annex, Revealing Key Metalworking Hub for Imperial Trade Route

Recent archaeological work in Egna, located in Italy's autonomous province of Bolzano, has uncovered foundational elements of a structure identified as an annex to the Roman waystation, Mansio Endidae. The preliminary investigations, conducted in 2025 under the supervision of the Provincial Authority for Archaeological Heritage, shed new light on a crucial logistical node along the Roman Empire's extensive infrastructure during the initial centuries of the Common Era. This finding provides a significant opportunity to reassess the complex commercial and logistical machinery that supported the ancient superpower.

The station was long hypothesized to be a vital stop on the Claudius Augustus route, connecting northern Italian territories with the central province of Raetia, which corresponds to the area around modern-day Augsburg in Germany. The specialized firm SRA carried out the meticulous excavations, clearly delineating the building's footprint at 11 meters long and 8 meters wide, divided into two distinct chambers constructed using rubble masonry typical of the Roman Imperial era. The most significant discovery concerns the function of one of these spaces. Evidence recovered, including large deposits of charcoal, heavily scorched earth, metal smelting slag, and numerous small metal implements such as multi-pronged nails, strongly suggests the area functioned as a metalworking workshop.

This concentration of industrial residue, situated within a geothermally stable and well-preserved archaeological layer, confirms the site as a regional center for metal production. Further documentation of supply chain complexity came with the discovery of several roof tiles stamped with the manufacturer's mark AURESIS, offering tangible data on the sourcing of essential building materials used locally. Strategically, the site's location is paramount. The newly exposed structure lies on the periphery of Egna, directly opposite earlier excavations of Mansio Endidae, suggesting an intrinsic organizational link between the main station and this industrial annex.

Researchers now posit that the metalworking facility served as a vital support unit, primarily tasked with fabricating and repairing the metal components necessary for maintaining the main Roman road artery. This finding elevates Egna's historical perception from a mere waypoint to a dynamic socio-economic center. The integration of this workshop into the known road network framework demonstrates a self-sustaining capability within the settlement. The discovery underscores the Empire's systemic approach to logistical resilience, validating the strategic and economic significance of ancient Endidae within the Alpine expanse by revealing a localized support and repair capacity that underpinned the Empire's expansive reach.