Andreas Wierts, a miner from Simpelveld, was constructing the foundations for a new house (Stampstraat 51) when he stumbled upon the three caskets.
Two of the three were robbed and empty, but the third one was still intact. It was discovered that the inside of the casket was decorated with reliefs, a big surprise. Precious jewelry, a glass bottle, a silver mirror and a stylus were also found in the casket. The sarcophagus dates from 160-180 AD. This 'rich' find is one of the finest archaeological masterpieces from the Netherlands.
The owner of the site where the caskets were found demanded a large sum of guilders. The then Provinciaal Museum in Limburg didn't have the budget to buy it. With the help of the Vereniging Rembrandt, the National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden or RMO) in Leiden was able to buy the Simpelveld sarcophagus for 8500 guilders. Since then, the sarcophagus and its grave gifts are on display in Leiden. It's one of the masterpieces of the museum.
You can admire copies of the sarcophagus in the Roman exhibition room on the Wilhelminastraat in Bocholtz and also in the Thermenmuseum in Heerlen. On viabelgica.eu you'll find more information on our Roman history!
NOTE: The Archeo location can be found in the park near the bench opposite house number 7
More information
Thermenmuseum Heerlen
Coriovallumstraat 9
6411 CA Heerlen
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Visit other Archeo route Limburg locations
Archaeological site Simpelveld - the lady of Simpelveld
On December 11th 1930, three sandstone sarcophagi were found by chance. Download the app and get face-to-face on site with our archaeologist. He tells you the importance of the findings through most modern virtual technology. This makes you feel as if you transform into the past.
Contact and location
Archeologische vindplaats Simpelveld - De dame van Simpelveld
Lange Graaf
6369 CX
SIMPELVELD