A Roman 'super tower' on the Danube, the latest discovery from Marcus Aurelius' wars.

Remains of a 2nd century AD structure built to guard a strategic point during the Marcomannic Wars have been found in Croatia.

An important archaeological discovery has emerged in the small Croatian village of Mohovo , not far from the banks of the Danube : a team of archaeologists led by Marko Dizdar has identified the remains of a Roman watchtower, likely dating back to the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161–180 AD). The remains of the structure were found among fragments of pottery and ancient brooches scattered across the ground. According to initial analyses, the tower was part of a larger defensive system, designed to guard one of the strategic crossings along the Danube, the natural and military border of the Roman Empire . "The tower was built in a strategic location, with an excellent view over a wide area. It was naturally protected by deep ravines on three sides," Dizdar explained.

The foundation measures 40 meters long and 30 meters wide. The original structure, probably made of wood, rose up to six meters high and was surrounded by deep moats and a defensive palisade. It was not an isolated outpost: the tower communicated with other military outposts in the area, such as those of Ilok and Sotin, approximately 12 kilometers away. "It was likely manned by several soldiers, ready to warn the nearby towers and garrisons in case of danger," the archaeologist added. The tower's construction was part of the Marcomannic Wars, fought by Marcus Aurelius against the Germanic peoples of the Marcomanni and the Sarmatians Iazyges, who threatened the Empire's Danubian borders. These conflicts, which lasted from 166 to 180 AD, pushed Rome to significantly strengthen its limes , or fortified border lines.

The Mohovo Tower is thought to have undergone at least three construction phases, demonstrating the ongoing adaptation of Roman defenses in response to external threats . Scholars believe the structure may have been transformed into a small fort in the 4th century AD, during a new phase of political and military instability . Excavation work, which began last April, has revealed that the area was continuously inhabited from the Copper Age to the Middle Ages. The archaeological campaign has already yielded significant finds, but the team plans to continue its investigations next year, focusing on the remains of the presumed Late Antique fort . The discovery adds a valuable piece to our knowledge of the Roman Empire's defensive strategies along the Danube, a zone of constant friction between Rome and the barbarian peoples of Central Europe . (by Paolo Martini )