KESTER
Belgium.
A large Gallo-Roman
vicus of the civitas Nerviorum, at the intersection of the
Bavai-Asse-Antwerp-Utrecht road and the Casel-Court-rai-Tongres road. Systematic excavations have never been
undertaken there. Our only information comes from
discoveries made in the course of large public works.
The built-up area spread over several hectares. The occupation seems to go back to the beginning of Roman
times since Iron Age bracelets and pottery are among
the most significant finds. Among these discoveries, are
numerous sherds of terra sigillata, coins, and a large
series of white terracotta statuettes. This last find suggests that there was a sanctuary of Celtic tradition in
the vicus. The necropolis, located W of the vicus, has
likewise been found but has never been excavated systematically. The tombs date to the 1st and 2d c. A
hoard of coins in a bronze vase was found at Kester as
early as 1574. It consisted of about 600 silver coins,
the most recent of Philip II (244-49). This seems to
indicate that the vicus was ravaged during one of the
very first invasions of the 3d c.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
M. Desittere,
Bibliografisch repertorium
der oudheidkundige vondsten in Brabant (1963) 76-77;
M. Thirion,
Les trésors monétaires gaulois et romains
trouvés en Belgique (1967) 101.
S. J. DE LAET
