Period of occupation of the oppidum IIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – IIᵉ siècle ap. J.-C. (≈ 100 av. J.-C.)
A peak with an estimated 20,000 inhabitants
1950
Beginning of excavations
Beginning of excavations 1950 (≈ 1950)
First discoveries in the Castellas
1960
Opening of the museum
Opening of the museum 1960 (≈ 1960)
Created by Joseph Michel and Paul Soyris
2008
Re-opening after renovation
Re-opening after renovation 2008 (≈ 2008)
Modernized museum accessible to the public
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Joseph Michel - Museum Initiator
Co-founder with Paul Soyris in 1960
Paul Soyris - Museum Initiator
Co-founder with Joseph Michel in 1960
Origin and history
The Murviel-lès-Montpellier Municipal Archaeology Museum was inaugurated in 1960 at the initiative of Joseph Michel and Paul Soyris, with the support of the municipality and state institutions. Located in the heart of the village, it presents exclusively objects from local excavations since 1950, as well as donations and acquisitions. These collections come mainly from the Castellas, a Gallo-Roman site occupied between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD, located 5 km from the Domitian Way.
The museum was renovated and reopened in 2008. Its archaeological repository, not accessible to the public, has been developed thanks to the collaboration of the DRAC, the Regional Archaeology Service (SAR), and local associations such as GRAHM. The exposed remains include carved fragments, ceramics, coins, and various objects, reflecting the richness of the archaeological furniture of the poppidum, which housed up to 20,000 inhabitants at its peak.
The Castellas' poppidum, which has been excavated since 1950, consists of a high fortified part and an extended low part, marked by quality habitats (mosaic, hypocaustes). This site illustrates the strategic and economic importance of the region under Roman domination, near Montpellier. The museum, labeled Musée de France, plays a key role in the preservation and enhancement of this local heritage.
