Forum of Vieux-la-Romaine

The Gallo-Roman forum of Vieux-la-Romaine belongs to the archaeological site of the ancient Aregenua, situated approximately 11 km south of Caen.

As a symbol of a Roman city in Gallia Lugdunensis, the forum in Lyon was a key site showcasing the process of Romanization. It served as a hub for administrative, judicial, and religious functions, reaching its peak in the 2nd and early 3rd centuries. However, the city began to decline in the crisis of the Third Century due to invasions and due to the lack of protective walls like many others. The administrative reorganization of the Western Roman Empire in the early 5th century led to Lyon losing its status as the capital city, which was transferred to Bayeux.

The forum site has been the focus of archaeological excavations since the 17th and 19th centuries, initiated by the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy. The exact location of the forum was a subject of debate until recent research in the late 20th and early 21st centuries confirmed its position. Excavations at Vieux resumed, and through modern research techniques and traditional archaeological digs spanning nine years, the eastern part of the complex was uncovered.

Location
The town of Vieux-la-Romaine is situated approximately 11 km southwest of Caen and 20 km from the Channel. It is located in the Orne valley and bordered by the La Guigne. The "Champ des Crêtes" site covers an area of 4 hectares.

Vieux-la-Romaine is located in the ancient city of Aregenua, a thriving urban center spanning over 2,300 km2 and inhabited by the Viducasses. During the early centuries, this region was likely densely forested and home to a large population of wild boars. It boasted rich natural resources such as chalk, sandstone, and shale, ideal for construction purposes.

Two thermal buildings were discovered in the Forum district, with one located just 60 meters northeast of the building excavated during the initial dig. In this densely populated area, the dwellings feature a "system of streets with facade galleries" and a network of roads dating back to the 2nd century, similar to the affluent house with a grand peristyle. Not far away is another thermal building that was excavated in the 18th and 19th centuries. This building, measuring about 90 m by 50 m, appears to have been divided between men and women. The baths were donated to the city by Sollemninus through a testament at the end of the 2nd century or the beginning of the 3rd century. Sollemninus laid the foundations of the baths, and his son Titus Sennius Solemnis completed the construction in 234 before bequeathing revenues to the city. These baths featured all the amenities of the time, including alternating hot, warm, and cold rooms, gyms, hypocausts, and pools.

Dominique Bertin-Halbout proposed locating the forum between the Church of Saint-Laurent de Vieux and the remains of the baths, at the intersection of the Cardo Maximus and the Decumanus Maximus. This hypothesis is supported by archaeological excavations conducted between April and September 1982, which revealed a portion of the forum.

History of the city
The first artifacts found on the site date back to the 1st century BC. The city of Aregenua was founded in the 1st century, likely during the Augustan age, and served as the seat of the Viducasses. The city flourished under the rule of Roman emperors Tiberius and Claudius, reaching its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Roman-style public buildings began to appear around 120-140 AD. At its height, the city covered an area of between 30 ha and 37 ha, but most likely 35 ha for a population estimated at 5,000. Aregenua enjoyed certain privileges, such as exemption from the land tax owed to Rome (tributum soli) and granting Roman law, which facilitated its growth. During this period, the city acquired monuments for the performing arts and thermal baths; domus were also built, such as the house with the great peristyle dating from the time of the Severan dynasty. In the 2nd century, the city changed its name to Civitas Viducassium.

A significant turning point in the city's history was its incorporation into the Gallic Empire, as evidenced by the discovery of two dedications to consuls of Postumus on an altar dedicated to Mars between 263 and 267. Subsequently, in 275, during the crisis of the Third Century, the city entered a decline period, with Bayeux gaining prominence. Unlike Jublains, the city did not have a protective wall, unlike neighboring cities such as Lisieux, Bayeux, and Évreux. By the mid-3rd century, several districts of the city were abandoned, although some artisans, such as mosaicists, tablet makers, and glassmakers, continued to operate. Archaeological excavations indicate that no new construction took place towards the end of the 3rd century. In the early 4th century, metallurgical workshops replaced houses near the House with a Grand Peristyle, and roads were renovated and expanded, with a new street cutting through the House with a Grand Peristyle. The city lost its status as the regional capital around 400, as documented by historical sources.

Between the 5th and 7th centuries, there is limited information available about the city, except for the establishment of Christianity, supported by the discovery of four early Christian funeral inscriptions. During this time, the city became more ruralized.

During the Merovingian dynasty, the city saw a resurgence evidenced by the discovery of numerous tombs dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. However, there was a decline in the Middle Ages, leading to the relocation of inhabitants to a more northern site. Despite continuous habitation, the city did not become a bishopric seat like Bayeux.

History of the forum
The forum was constructed in the early 2nd century, underwent modifications in the same century, and further enhancements in the first third of the 3rd century. During the early 3rd century, the forum decoration was enriched, reflecting "the peak period experienced by the capital."

After a political and administrative shift, the forum was repurposed as a butcher's shop at the end of the 3rd century. The territory of the Viducasses city was partially absorbed by the Bayeux city.

16th – 19th centuries
The first discoveries on this site date back to the 16th century with the unveiling of the marbre de Thorigny.

The "Champ des Crêtes," spanning 4,000 m2 and situated near the forum, has undergone multiple excavations. The first excavation took place in the 17th century in the southern part of the village, leading to the discovery of ancient and medieval remnants. Subsequently, in 1703, Nicolas-Joseph Foucault, the intendant of the generalité of Caen, conducted further excavations in the area.

Subsequent excavations were carried out during various periods between 1839 and 1861, notably by Arcisse de Caumont and Antoine Charma. In 1828, C-A Gervais explored the same area as Intendant Foucault in the early 18th century, revealing the baths and the gymnasium. In February and March 1840, François Besongnet and Charles Gervais continued C-A Gervais's work, determining that the forum was situated in another part of the site. Arcisse de Caumont arrived at the site on March 19, 1840, to create plans of the uncovered walls and discovered the three rows of steps of the Curia. The excavations conducted by the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy under Antoine Charma in 1859 focused on previously excavated buildings, providing precise plans and detailed descriptions of the marble decorations used in the forum. However, Antoine Charma's excavations resulted in incorrect interpretations, as he mistakenly identified the decorations as frescoes of baths rather than those of a senate or basilica. A plan was drafted by Georges-Aimar Lavalley-Duperroux at that time, which was only rediscovered in the Calvados departmental archives in 1991.

20th century
In the early 20th century, Maurice Besnier, in his book Histoire des fouilles de Vieux, attempted to pinpoint the forum location by analyzing excavations conducted by the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy in the previous century.

In 1972, a new archaeological excavation campaign commenced. Two probes measuring two meters by one meter were conducted to analyze the site stratigraphy. These excavations unearthed artifacts dating from the 1st century during the reigns of Roman emperors Tiberius and Nero up to the mid-4th century.

In 1977, Christian Pilet continued Maurice Besnier's research and identified two distinct groups of baths, locating the forum in a different area on the site. Aerial photographs taken in 1987 and 1989 provided further clarity on the layout of the walls. In 1991, Lavalley-Duperroux's plan was discovered in the Calvados departmental archives, enhancing the interpretation of archaeological findings.

21st century
In 2005, towed electrical prostecting surveys were conducted to pinpoint the forum location and generate three interpretation maps.

The Council of Calvados acquired the parcel of Champ des Crêtes shortly before 2006, turning it into an archaeological reserve. Subsequent archaeological excavations, organized by the archaeological service of the Calvados General Council in 2007, led to the development of an overall plan for the forum. In the same year, two research phases were conducted, focusing on the houses and urban layout of the city. The first phase carried out in June and July 2007 through sondages, helped create the forum plan and pinpoint the location of the Curia. The second phase commenced in 2008 and extended over several years.

The excavations of 2007 revealed part of the central square of the forum with the help of two perpendicular trenches revealing stones and blocks of Vieux marble.

Architectural complex in the city
Aregenua was constructed following the tripartite plan typical of many western cities in the Roman Empire. The administrative buildings were clustered together to create a central hub consisting of the basilica, the Curia, and other municipal structures. This hub was established in the early 2nd century and underwent further enhancements towards the end of the century. By the 3rd century, the construction projects were largely finished, but a gradual architectural decline set in. During this period, some public buildings were replaced by a butcher's shop, which primarily catered to the trade of cattle and pigs until the 4th century.

In theory, the forum is situated at the Cardo and the Decumanus intersection. However, in reality, only the Decumanus is visible at this site, with several cardinales also evident. Additionally, the forum is positioned on a south-facing slope, combining political, religious, judicial, and commercial functions.

The building located northeast of the Champ des Crêtes baths features marble floors and an apse room. Electrical prospecting has revealed a square area measuring 85 m by 50 m with a portico and shops on the southern side. A structure, possibly a temple, measuring 27 m by 14 m has been identified. As early as 2005, it was suggested that these functions, including "organs of civic and religious life," indicate the presence of a forum. Additionally, the existence of a basilica, serving as a center for commerce and justice, is also under consideration.

The location of the complex is a reflection of the city's history. The nucleus of the colony might be situated beneath this complex, as the blocks in this area are smaller (50 m by 60 m) compared to the larger peripheral blocks measuring 90 m per side. The forum likely stayed in its original location, which means it is not positioned at the geometric center of the Viducasses city.

Forum description
The rectangular forum of Vieux measures 115 m by 51.50 m, a modest size similar to that of an insula. Two decumani provide access to it from the longer sides. It is situated at the edge of a plateau overlooking the La Guigne valley, surrounded by various streets, two decumani (G and H), and a cardo (C).

The central square measures 68 m by 21 m and appears to be divided into two distinct zones: a sacred area to the west with a temple and a public area to the east. Surrounding the square are shops of standard dimensions ranging from 5.90 m to 6.20 m. Porticos separate the square from the shops.

North of the central square, archaeology reveals the presence of shops and portico galleries that underwent modifications over the centuries. The shops to the south of the square remained relatively unchanged, and further in this direction was the thermal building discovered in the 19th century. Traces to the west of the square suggest potential developments, but their exact nature remains undetermined.

The porticos and shops are situated on the longest sides. In the western part of the north-south axis, two shops measuring 8 m2 each (four meters in length by two meters in width) were uncovered during the archaeological excavations of 1982. These shops were separated by a wattle wall and a wooden partition. One of the shops is believed to have belonged to a grain and pottery seller, while the other was a pottery shop equipped with clay and a potter's kiln. In front of the two shops, a gutter and a sidewalk were also discovered. Unfortunately, these two shops were destroyed at the end of the 3rd century.

Temple and sacred area
In antiquity, religious and civic life were closely intertwined. Archaeological evidence shows that no roads passed through the sacred area, indicating the likely presence of a porticus triplex. The temple's dimensions, believed to have been constructed in the latter half of the 2nd century, appear to be 12.5 m by 11 m, with a wall thickness of 1.25 m made of Vieux marble for the east wall.

Archaeologists suggest that this temple could have been dedicated to deities such as Mercury, Sucellus, and Vulcan, or to imperial cults, all of which were revered in the city. A fragment of an altar referencing the cult of Vulcan and the imperial cult was uncovered during the excavations. Vulcan, a deity highly esteemed in the Viducasses territory due to its abundant iron deposits, may have been particularly significant. Additionally, in a marble workshop, two molds from the 3rd century used for creating images of Mercury and Sucellus through coroplasty were also found.

Construction and evolution
The forum comprises several buildings, including the local curia constructed in two phases. The initial phase involved building a significant room measuring 12.40 m by 9.15 m, which was later expanded and enhanced at the end of the 2nd century. This phase continued until the second half of the 3rd century, with the room growing to 12.15 m by 14.60 m. During this period, the painting and marble work were redone. Subsequently, the eastern facade was shifted by 1.50 m, resulting in a curia measuring 14.80 m by 14.60 m. The old eastern wall was repurposed to create a podium covered with limestone slabs joined by ceramic shards, featuring three rows of steps arranged in a semi-circle.

The building is surrounded by an imposing wall, reinforced by buttresses in the eastern part. In the second half of the 2nd century, the eastern wall was lowered, and a new wall was built further away. These adjustments allowed for an extension of the aula (courtyard) and an enlargement of the building by about three meters. The old eastern wall was repurposed as a platform, and niches were created to accommodate statues of various deities.

The western facade features a stylobate made of Caen stone.

Decoration
In the backfills from 19th-century excavations conducted by the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy, plaster fragments have been discovered. These fragments have allowed for the recreation of marbled decor, although many are too small for a detailed study. The various fragments suggest the presence of an opus sectile with different colors from the 2nd century: one on a red background resembling red porphyry, another with various shades of yellow similar to Chemtou, a third on a pink background, and a fourth on a green background. Among the depicted elements are the shadow of a candelabra base, a character's garment, and a panther's skin. However, most of the decorations have been lost due to the 19th-century excavations and subsequent site abandonment. Archaeological findings have uncovered a significant number of 36,280 fragments dating from the second half of the 2nd century, primarily attributed to the Curia.

The materials used for decoration are diverse and sourced from various regions of the Roman Empire. These include marble from the Greek island of Skyros, Allier in Gaul, Chemtou in the former Roman province of Africa (currently, Tunisia), and Phrygia. Additionally, oil shale from the Autun region and limestone from the Pyrenees were also utilized.

"Salle IV"
North of the Curia, "Salle IV" also features a stylobate made of Caen stone. A 12-meter-long and 0.66-meter-high mural painting adorns the top of the facade, serving as a decorative element for the room's gallery. Unfortunately, only the lower part of the painting survives, as the upper part was destroyed in a fire during the mid-3rd century. This incident led to the reorganization of the gallery to the west of the Curia.

The quality of the plaster conservation varies greatly: some areas are nearly undetectable, especially in the upper part. The lower section is better preserved, showing a beige and khaki baseboard topped with a white strip, measuring between 25 cm to 27 cm in height. Above the base, there are imitations of rocks in diamond or disc compartments. These rocks are made of yellow marble from Chemtou, red porphyry, and green marble. The shapes are not perfectly geometric: the diamonds are irregular, and the discs are not always centered.

Vestibule
The vestibule is situated to the west of the forum and south of the Curia. It serves as a connection between these two public spaces, measuring 9 m by 5.90 m. The room appears to have experienced significant ground subsidence, leading to severe deterioration of the floor. Extensive renovations, including the installation of a new floor, appear to have been carried out in the latter part of the 2nd century.

In the late 2nd or early 3rd century, the vestibulum was enhanced with a grand entrance made of local marble measuring 4.10 meters. This entrance leads to the Curia, which is in the shape of a hemicycle and features three rows of steps and a podium. The floor of the Curia is constructed of concrete made from gravel mortar. The southern and western walls were originally intended to have frescoes, but their interpretation remains unclear.

Archive room
To the south, a passage connects the Curia to a room measuring 9 m by 4 m, with a floor made of pink mortar. This room, with its sole access from the Curia, is believed by archaeologists to have served as a tabularium, a space used for storing public records.

Statue
Archaeologists believe that a statue of Titus Sennius Solemnis, a prominent political figure of the city, likely adorned the forum in the 3rd century due to the discovery of the marbre de Thorigny.