French archaeologists have unearthed a Roman neighborhood in the country’s southeast, calling the discovery a “real little Pompeii.” The findings include the remains of luxury homes and public buildings.
The discovery took place on the banks of the Rhone river in the city of Vienne, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of Lyon. It was found on land awaiting the construction of a housing complex and covers nearly 7,000 square meters (75,000 square feet).
The neighborhood includes homes dating back to the 1st century AD, and is believed to have been inhabited for around 300 years before being abandoned after a series of fires.
“We’re unbelievably lucky. This is undoubtedly the most exceptional excavation of a Roman site in 40 or 50 years,” lead archaeologist, Benjamin Clement, told AFP.
The French culture ministry termed the discovery an “exceptional find.”
Many artefacts at the site have been well-preserved, prompting Clement to refer to the area as “a real little Pompeii in Vienne.” The remark references the Roman-city state, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was extremely well-preserved after being covered in volcanic ash.
Bacchanalian House is among the structures that partly survived, though, its first floor, roof, and balcony had been destroyed by fire. Archaeologists believe the house, which included balustrades, marble tiling, large gardens, and a water supply system, belonged to a wealthy merchant.
Clement said he and his colleagues would be able to…