Beginning of excavations 1828 (≈ 1828)
Discovery of the Mile terminal locating Anderitum.
août 1998
Opening of the museum
Opening of the museum août 1998 (≈ 1998)
Inauguration on two levels with 400 objects.
2015
Development of the archaeological garden
Development of the archaeological garden 2015 (≈ 2015)
4 ha around the church turned into a course.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any named historical actor.
Origin and history
The archaeological museum of Javols presents the results of the excavations carried out in the village of Peyre-en-Aubrac (Lozère). Created in 1998, it is organized on two levels and features about 400 objects, illustrating the daily life and history of Anderitum, the ancient capital of the Gabales. The discovery of a milestone in 1828 confirmed the location of this Gallo-Roman city, founded after the conquest and arranged in the image of Rome, with forum, baths and temples.
Javols, called Anderitum in the Gallo-Roman era (meaning "near the great ford"), was the capital of the country of the Gabales. The city, organized according to an orthonormous plan, housed public buildings and housing districts. The excavations, begun in the 19th century, revealed remains such as necropolises, thermal baths and a mosaic. The museum showcases major pieces, including a sculpture by the god Silvain Sucellus and a Gallo-Roman tightening reconstruction.
The outdoor site, freely accessible, offers a circuit of 18 plots marking the main places of excavation: forum, residential areas, church and swimming pool of the thermal baths. Since 2015, 4 hectares around the church have been set up in a garden, integrating the remains into a landscaped path. These spaces, protected for two millennia, offer an immersion in urban planning and the daily life of an ancient city of 40 hectares.
The current name of Javols derives from ad Gabalos (at the Gabales), attesting the continuity of the site as city capital. The milestone, a key part of the museum, corrected a historical mistake: before its discovery, the village of d'Anterrieux (Cantal) was considered the capital of the Gabales. The museum and the outdoor circuit thus complete the understanding of this Roman city of medium mountain.
