A Roman well at Krefeld-Hüls (Rhineland) contained ceramics from the first half of the 2nd century AD. A sample of the sediment beneath was studied by pollen analysis and soil chemistry; subfossil botanical remains, fragments of mosses, and chitin relics of beetles were found. The results yield a picture of the ancient biotopes: near the well there were gardens and pastureland, grain and flax fields, and a wood in the surrounding area. -- AATA