Ambrussum

how to revive our heritage to highlight its past, present and future...

Ambrussum, located in the town of Villetelle, is a remarkable archaeological site of great interest, both to the scientific community and to the numerous visitors who walk  its scented paths.

Anxious to preserve its heritage, the Communauté de Communes du Pays de Lunel has carried out a management and development project for this remarkable site.

Discovering the wealth of antiquities and introducing their 'histories':

Regular excavations of the archaeological site and the discovery of remains, coins, jewellery, ceramics etc, have enabled scientists to develop a vivid historical hypotheses for the Gallo-Roman populations that lived there, including: Oppidum organisation, living arrangements,artistic activities, construction techniques and materials...

The richness of the collections is explained by the fact that Ambrussum is situated on the Via Domitia, an important, interprovincial route, built and maintained at the expense of the Roman state; a busy highway used by the roman army, officials, traders, merchants, travellers and pilgrims from throughout the Empire and which was still in use during the Middle Ages. We were able to uncover the remains of inns, roadhouses, and thermal baths... The Via Domitia was therefore a key element in shaping the Ambrussum landscape.

Ambrussum, the expression of a territory's identity through its heritage and culture:

The closer we look at the Lunel countryside the richer we see the tapestry of its history, Marsillargues Castle, Boisseron Ramparts, Romanesque churches, prehistoric cave... Situated at the heart of the Via Domitia route and preserved for posterity, Ambrussum is the flagship of a rich heritage which illuminates the Pays de Lunel and sets it apart as a region indelibly marked by ancient history.

Project history:

In 2001, the architect, Yvan Goroneskoul, together with a study team were appointed by the Communité de Communes to initiate proposals for the protection, enhancement and cultural development of the Ambrussum site.

The archaeological site has also been the subject of much academic study and of excavations led by Jean-Luc Fiches (archaeologist at CNRS, the National Centre for Scientific Research).