Villa gallo-romaine d’Embourie: A Gallo-Roman Rural Estate in France
Visitor Information
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Country: France
Civilization: Roman
Remains: Domestic
History
The Villa gallo-romaine d’Embourie is located in the municipality of Paizay-Naudouin-Embourie, France. It was established by the Romans, which combined local Gallic traditions with Roman culture following the Roman conquest of Gaul.
The site was occupied from the 1st century BCE through to the 5th century CE, reflecting a long period of continuous habitation. During this time, the villa functioned as the residential center of an agricultural estate. Over these centuries, the villa would have witnessed the transition from the late Republic into the Roman Empire and the gradual changes in social and economic structures that accompanied this era.
Remains
Archaeological excavations at the Villa gallo-romaine d’Embourie have uncovered the residential quarters of the estate, revealing a well-preserved example of a Gallo-Roman rural villa. The layout includes a reception room notable for its painted wall decorations, which have been partially reconstructed from fresco fragments found on site. These frescoes provide insight into the decorative styles favored by the villa’s inhabitants and indicate a level of wealth and cultural engagement.
Complementing the residential structures, an ancient garden has been recreated to reflect the villa’s original environment.
The site also includes a discovery area designed to present the villa’s history and archaeological findings. This space contains a scale model of the villa, illustrations, interactive panels, and a film, all aimed at explaining the significance of the site and the results of over four decades of excavation. The preservation of painted decorations and the reconstruction efforts highlight the villa’s well-maintained interior spaces and contribute to understanding its historical context.
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