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Pre-Roman Oppidum and Gallo-Roman à Gaujac dans le Gard

Patrimoine classé
Vestiges Gallo-romain
Oppidum

Pre-Roman Oppidum and Gallo-Roman

    Chemin de l'Oppidum
    30330 Gaujac
Ownership of the municipality
Oppidum de Gaujac
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Oppidum préromain et gallo-romain
Crédit photo : RhôneA7 - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Antiquité
Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
100
200
300
400
1900
2000
90-100 apr. J.-C.
Rehabilitation of the thermal baths (State 2)
20 apr. J.-C.
Start of thermal baths (state 1)
Ier siècle apr. J.-C.
Construction of thermal baths
210-220 apr. J.-C.
Earthquakes and partial abandonment
Milieu du IIIe siècle
Final withdrawal
1974
Registration Historic Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Pre-Roman and Gallo-Roman oppidum (Case B 441): inscription by order of 19 September 1974

Key figures

Jean Charmasson - Archaeologist and searcher Directed the excavations from 1974 to 1998.
Dominique Cannaud - Archaeological Collaborator Bathrobe in 1974.
Pline l’Ancien - Ancient author Summons the Samnayns related to Gaujac.
J. Bourrilly et F. Mazauric - Local historians Report the oppidum in 1911.

Origin and history

The Gaujac oppidum, occupied from the Iron Age, was probably linked to the Celtic people of the Samnagnens, quoted by Pliny the Elder. This strategic site, known since the beginning of the 20th century, has revealed considerable remains, including a thermal complex built in the 1st century on the third terrace of the ppodum. The excavations, initiated in 1974 by Jean Charmasson and Dominique Cannaud, revealed two states of construction of the thermal baths, reflecting their adaptation to hydraulic needs and social uses.

The thermal baths, originally built around 20 AD, included a changing room (apodyterium), a warm room (tepidarium) and a warm room (caldarium) with a hypocaust heating system. The absence of water led to a major redevelopment between 90 and 100 BC, with the addition of an 80 m3 tank and thermal basins. These changes transformed the palester into a service yard and added a new palester lined with porticoes, illustrating the evolution of Roman seaside practices.

Around 210-220 earthquakes damaged the thermal baths, resulting in partial abandonment. The north part, preserved, was converted into a sanctuary dedicated to Fortuna, integrating a statue of the goddess in the cistern transformed into cella. This place of worship, supplemented by an altar and spaces for offerings, bears witness to the religious dimension of the oppidum. The site was finally abandoned in the middle of the third century, marking the end of its occupation.

The systematic excavations carried out by the Society for the Study of Ancient Civilizations of the Lower Rhone Valley (SECABR) between 1975 and 1998 documented these transformations. The thermal baths, registered as a Historical Monument in 1974, offer a rare example of architectural and cultural adaptation between the pre-Roman and Gallo-Roman eras. The publications of Jean Charmasson, the main searcher, remain references for the study of this emblematic site of the Gard.

External links