Archaeologists in France Discover Giant Roman Gallic Villa Hiding in Plain Sight

In 1966, archaeologists in France uncovered an ancient 7,535-square-foot building near the town of Auxerre. Remains of furniture in the edifice’s ten rooms led archaeologists to estimate that it was inhabited from the first to the fourth century CE, and evidence of mosaics and floor heating indicated that the inhabitants were members of a wealthy social class. But it turns out that these spaces were a small part of an even grander dwelling.

Archaeologists have revealed that the building excavated almost six decades ago is just a secondary wing of a luxurious 43,056-square-foot villa—one of the largest known Roman villas in modern-day France.

According to an agricultural treatise by the ancient Roman writer Lucius Junius Moderatus Columella called De re rvsticaRoman villas were divided into three main sections: the pars urbanawhere the landowner and his family lived; the part of a ruralwhich housed the workers, animals, and farming tools; and the part of the fruits for the harvest tools. The excavation near Auxerre has thus far revealed the complex’s residential pars urbanaalong with some features that may have belonged to the part of a rural.

The building wrapped around a square garden, with a basin at one end and a fountain at the other. The chambers surrounding the garden included spaces to receive guests, technical rooms, and possible a kitchen, and the eastern wing of the building showcased thermal baths. The space that may have belonged to the part of a rural section of the complex consists of a rectangular space near a boundary wall that encircles part of the villa.

In a statement by France’s National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), archaeologists suggest the villa was built in two or three stages. Further research will be necessary to determine the building’s potential association with ancient Auxerre, known as Autessiodurum, which became a prominent city in the fourth century.

By the mid first century BCE, future Roman dictator-for-life Julius Caesar had conquered all of Gaul, a region including most of modern day France and Belgium. Large Roman Gallic villas traditionally had richly developed pars urbana and almost always included private thermal baths. They also usually incorporated fountains, gardens, private sanctuaries, and elaborate interiors featuring marble, frescoes, and mosaics for the enjoyment of their wealthy landowners, who made up the region’s political elite.

The recently uncovered estate represents one of the largest Roman villas in Gaul, according to The History Blog. It remains to be seen what further insight the magnificent remains will provide into the lives of Gaul’s wealthiest ancient residents. In the meantime, visitors will have the rare opportunity to tour the site on June 15 in honor of European Archaeology Days.