Timeline

Origin and history

On 18 October 1985, archaeologists discovered in Eauze a Gallo-Roman monetary treasure of the third century, one of the few preserved entirely in France. This treasure, composed of precious objects and coins, is extracted during the last excavations of an archaeological campaign. The discovery marks a turning point for the understanding of the society of South West Gaul under Roman domination, notably that of the Novempopulania, province of which Elusa (Ancient Eauze) was the capital.

Ten years later, in 1995, a museum opened in the heart of Eauze to house this treasure, after a long restoration and scientific analysis of the artifacts. The building, a former 19th-century bank, is built on three levels with a modern museum. The basement displays the treasure in its original cassette, while the other rooms reconstruct the daily life of the inhabitants of Elusa, illustrating the central role of the city in the region.

The museum is part of a larger archaeological complex, Elusa Capitale antique, which also includes the Domus de Ciutat (Gallo-Roman urban house) and the Villa de Séviac (aristocratic residence with 625 m2 of mosaics, the largest ensemble in France). These three sites offer a complete panorama of Romanity in Novempopulania, with interactive and educational tours. Systematic excavations are planned to deepen the knowledge of the ancient city, still partially preserved under the present Eauze.

Labelled Museum of France, the establishment enjoys a central location (Place de la République) and an approximate GPS address at 34 Boulevard d'Artagnan. Its geographical accuracy is considered "passible" (note 5/10), reflecting the limitations of the available data. Future research should refine the mapping of remains, while enriching the understanding of the social and economic dynamics of southern Roman Gaul.

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