Beautiful glasswork discovered at ancient Roman crossroads in France. See the finds

Irene Wright
·2 min read

In a city in the south of France, a social housing development project broke ground — then unearthed pieces of history.

Archaeologists were called to the city of Nîmes, just north of the Mediterranean coast, where construction on the Rue de Beaucaire had uncovered stone pavements, according to an April 9 news release from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP).

The stones were placed next to one another to make a roadway, about 50 feet wide, the archaeologists said, and there are markings of ruts and stone replacements from wear and tear.

Stones that created a roadway were buried next to the main road, researchers said.
Stones that created a roadway were buried next to the main road, researchers said.

Uncover more archaeological finds

What are we learning about the past? Here are three of our most eye-catching archaeology stories from the past week.

→ Roman helmet looked like a 'rusty bucket' when it was found in UK. Now, it's restored

→Elaborate 600-year-old castle — complete with moat — unearthed in France. Take a look

→ Mysterious wooden train car — almost 100 years old — unearthed in Belgium, photos show

The roadway is believed to be a crossroad of “via Domitia,” an ancient Roman road built in the first and second century B.C. as the main access to Nîmes, according to the release.

Construction and maintenance of Domitia Way, now underneath modern-day Beaucaire Road, likely continued into the first or even second century A.D., the researchers said.

In between the two ancient thoroughfares, the archaeologists discovered a series of tombs, some with human remains and others with pottery and glass.

Bowls, vases and lamps were found buried with the remains, archaeologists said.
Bowls, vases and lamps were found buried with the remains, archaeologists said.

The tombs were built with extra pieces of limestone or terracotta piles, according to the release, or were dug into the ground next to the road.

Cremation was common at the time, and the burned remains were either scattered on the dirt or placed in glass or ceramic vases, the archaeologists said.

Personal items were also buried with the remains, according to the release, which were likely part of the rites and ceremony of the burials.

They included vases, lamps and bowls that have remained in remarkable condition over thousands of years.

The glass vases have stayed in near pristine condition buried in the tombs, photos show.
The glass vases have stayed in near pristine condition buried in the tombs, photos show.

The excavations also revealed a well, which has since been filled in and hidden under modern buildings, according to the release.

Digging the well out from the dirt may help the researchers reach other discoveries, they said.

Nîmes is about a 75-mile drive northwest of Marseille.

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