Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The archaeological site of Les Buissières, located in Panossas in Isère (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is a Gallo-Roman complex dating from the 1st to the 4th century. It consists of two 150 m distant sectors: to the west, a large grain silo and a forge dating back about 40 BC; in the east, a thermal complex of the late 1st century AD, whose walls still rise 2 to 4 meters. This site, known since the 1960s by aerial photographs and a mound of remains, was officially discovered in 2004.

The excavations, led by Matthieu Poux (Professor of Archaeology) and Aldo Borlenghi (Master of Lectures) of the University Lyon 2 (ArArAr Laboratory), mobilized students and volunteers from GAROM and SAB associations between 2012 and 2016. Five systematic campaigns revealed the scope of the site, including its public baths, suggested by the quality of masonries and decors. The thermal building, partially buried under a grove, has preserved wall heights up to 4 meters, a rare case for the area.

The site was listed as historical monuments in 2015 for its entirety, including upland and underground remains, on specific plots of the cadastre. The excavations allowed to reconstruct the plan of the thermal baths, their stratigraphy, and the arrangement of their spaces, while confirming their public rather than private vocation. The location, near the marsh of Charamel and the path of Frontonas, highlights its integration into a Gallo-Roman agricultural and artisanal landscape.

Archaeological discoveries highlight the spatial and social organization of this site, typical of the Roman rural settlements in the region. The exhumed objects and structures (silo, forge, thermal baths) show a mixed activity, both agricultural, artisanal and thermal, reflecting the economic diversity of the Lyon countryside during the Empire. The study of decors and construction techniques also offers indices of cultural exchanges and local living standards.

The designation of historic monuments in 2015 has protected a fragile heritage, threatened by erosion and agricultural activities. The annual excavation reports, archived by the University Lyon 2, are now used as a reference for the study of Gallo-Roman villas in Isère. The site, though not permanently open to the public, is a major resource for understanding the Roman occupation in the southeast quarter of Gaul.

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