In Reims, an updated Roman monumental complex near the Porte de Mars

It has long been known that Reims was one of the most important cities in the history of the Roman Empire and the Porte de Mars, dating from the first quarter of the 3rd century AD, is still its proudest symbol. The recent discovery by Inrap archaeologists of a monumental site, located a hundred meters from the great arch dedicated to the god of war, could allow us to know many more details about daily life in the ancient Durocortorum.

This monumental site is dated to the 2nd and 3rd centuries by Inrap researchers. They have already unearthed two large portico galleries 20 meters on each side forming a U. They surround two large rectangular masonry blocks which take place in an open space, most likely a garden. One of the two, equipped with two pressurized water pipes, could be a pond or a fountain.

About twenty pieces are distributed around these two galleries. Some of them are vast corridors and others living rooms, with compacted chalk floors and are equipped with central fireplaces. Nine rooms with very elaborate constructions probably correspond to a thermal space of ancient baths. And five of them, very large, have underfloor heating (hypocaust). Archaeologists have also unearthed painted plasters richly decorated with floral motifs. Some pigments used, including a blue similar to "Egyptian blue", are rare. Their presence would be a sign of the great richness of the place.

For the moment, and before the post-excavation work carried out in particular by the ceramologists of Inrap, the first findings lead to two hypotheses: either it is a rich domus, or it is the remains superb Reims thermal baths.

A quick commentary from Inrap researchers working on the Reims site