Tubanti

The Tubanti was a Germanic tribe, living in the eastern part of The Netherlands. They are often equated to the Tuihanti, whom we know from two inscriptions found near the wall of Hadrian. The modern name Twente probably derives from the word "Tuihanti", the name mentioned on two sacral inscriptions found near Hadrians Wall.

:Deo / Marti / Thincso / et duabus / Alaisiagis / Bed(a)e et Fi/mmilen(a)e / et n(umini) Aug(usti) Ger/m(ani) cives Tu/ihanti / v(otum) s(olverunt) l(ibentes) m(erito)

:Deo / Marti et duabus / Alaisiagis et n(umini) Aug(usti) / Ger(mani) cives Tuihanti / cunei Frisiorum / Ver(covicianorum) Se(ve)r(iani) Alexand/riani votum / solverunt / libent [es] / m(erito)

History

Little is known about the Tubanti. They either stayed out of conflict for that larger part, or their contribution was too small to warrant explicit mention by the few sources we have.

The first time they are mentioned at all, is in the description of the first expedition of Germanicus against the Marsi, where they ambushed the roman forces returning to their winter-quarters, in coalition with the Bructeri and Usipeti, probably somewhere in the Münsterland.

In 69, they provided a "cohort" during the Batavian Revolt, which was destroyed by the Ubii and in 308 joined the alliance against Constantine the Great during his campaign against the Bructeri.

By the late 4th century the Tubanti merged with the Saxons.

Archeology

Archeology shows that the region associated with the Tubanti was inhabited more or less continuously since the last ice-age. The region is very fertile and will support agriculture and cattle. The countryside is marked by artificial hills, called "es" or "esch", which were formed by depositing dung mixed with dirt. The prime example is the "Fleringer Esch", near Fleringen.

There is archeological evidence of (relatively) large scale iron production in the region, specifically near Heeten, show that the locals understood the process of producing steel, with a carbon content of 2% [1] . The ore used was the abundant bog iron. The production sites can be dated to 280-350.

Sources

[1] http://noorderlicht.vpro.nl/artikelen/17614176/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3705205.stm