Ancient Roman Settlement Discovered in France

The remains of a Gallo-Roman site overlooking the French city of Alès have been identified by archaeologists, the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) announced on Tuesday.

Excavations conducted between February and June this year revealed the remains of dwellings, hydraulic systems, a domus with an intricate mosaic, and a necropolis across the 40,365-square-foot site.

There were at least four ancient dwellings that were partially excavated from the limestone rock. Experts found that the interior walls of these structures were coated in a layer of clay to contain any potential water leakage during times of heavy rainfall. Underground conduits made from roof tiles and infill blocks further helped with drainage.

Though remnants of the wall paintings are still visible in some sections of the walls, they have heavily deteriorated over time. On the floor, rock slabs would have once sat on a basier base of stone fragments and limestone dust.

Another 8,073-square-foot structure initially contained compacted earth floors, which were subsequently replaced with concrete and adorned with tesserae to create a massive mosaic floor.

Housed inside a room measuring nearly 15 by 12 feet, the well-preserved mosaic features at its center interlaced geometric patterns made from black, white, and red tesserae. Experts believe the red was made using the mineral pigment cinnabar, which was reserved for the elite. Another rare detail includes yellow-painted tesserae. The tesserae and ornamentation are not consistent throughout, however, which could indicate that there were other rooms nearby.

A drainage system, made by cutting and fitting together the ends of amphorae, channeled excess rainwater from the roof to the outside of the building along its east side.

Researchers are still trying to determine if this was the private residence of a wealthy urban family.

A late Roman necropolis, dating to the 5th and 6th centuries CE, was also discovered with ten burials along with the south side of the site. The dead were laid to rest with their heads facing west. Though some were covered with stones, most did not contain funerary offerings. Radiocarbon dating is still being conducted on two burials northwest of the necropolis.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the land was used for agricultural terraces (faïsses) and again reused in the 19th century.

Continuous activity between the 2nd and 6th centuries CE, along with the number of technical advancements found at the site, indicate a high level of skill. The mosaic is also one of the most notable finds in the area in decades.