TIME DISTORTS | Tijd Vertekent

Depiction of the Roman Limes in the tunnel at the intersection of the Achterdijk and the N421 provincial road.

Archaeological research prior to the excavation of this tunnel under the N421 provincial road revealed that the Roman border zone coincided exactly with the tunnel route.

Heavy wooden structures were found, leading archaeologists to conclude that a marshy, wet area or a silted-up river branch must have crossed the Limes here.

Dendrochronological research shows that the wood used to build this bridge dates largely from 125 AD. Around that time, Emperor Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire. Hadrian is known to have travelled extensively, and during his reign, the northern border of the Roman Empire was strengthened. Hadrian is best known for his wall between Scotland and England. On his way to English territory and Forum Hadriani (Voorburg), he must have travelled through what is now the Kromme Rijn area, and most likely across this section of the Limes.

A cyclist riding through this tunnel today cuts through the underground layers in which this historical story is hidden.