The discoveries were made on the construction site of a real estate developer -

Charlotte Gleize, Inrap

Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) made an astonishing discovery in Nîmes (Gard): they unearthed the remains of two Roman houses with remarkable decorations, during an excavation site, in the center of the capital of Gard, renowned for its rich heritage.

The archaeologists, who worked on the site of a private real estate developer, discovered these two 1st century “domus” in the district of the forum of Nemausus, the name of the ancient city of Nîmes, near its temple, known today. 'hui under the name of "Maison Carrée".

The plan of these two residences goes beyond the perimeter of the site, as is often the case for preventive excavations.

But, in one of the two buildings, almost all of a reception room has been unearthed and the painted plaster which adorned the walls was discovered collapsed on the ground.

A certain "luxury"

"On their painted face, these plasters have a classic decoration with large red panels and black inter-panels welcoming refined candelabras", underlines Inrap, speaking of a type of composition corresponding "to a very present fashion in Roman Gaul in the 1st century AD ”.

The concrete floor associated with these plasters has a geometric honeycomb decoration made of black tesserae.

Along the main axis of the room, this pavement includes a “sectile opus” carpet, a covering of marble slabs of various colors and origins forming a checkerboard pattern.

Remarkable decorations have been found by Inrap archaeologists - B Houix, Inrap

"The choice of marble to enrich the decor encourages attributing this domus to a notable of the ancient city of Nîmes", archaeologists believe, who also note a certain level of luxury in other remains, in particular rooms with systems of underfloor heating or ornamental ponds in the interior gardens.

Science

Mexico: magnificent eagle sculpture unearthed in Aztec temple

World

Greece: Amphorae dating from the 1st to the 3rd century discovered in a Roman wreck

  • Languedoc-Roussillon

  • Nimes

  • History

  • Archeology

  • Science