The excavation has revealed how the Roman town was laid out. There is a north-south oriented street (the cardo maximus) bordered by a sewer. To the west, there is a public building with a colonnade separating two aisles, as well as a basilica (court, meeting hall, etc.). To the east, there are the characteristic remains of an amphitheatre (where animal and gladiatorial combats took place) Wide, arched and buttressed walls survive up to a height of 3.5 m and to a length of 55 m . Towards the rear, openings in the vaults are characteristic of vomitoria.
Two thousand years of an urban quarter in Cahors (Lot)
On line since September 19, 2009 · Updated September 19, 2009
The excavation of an area of 5,000 m2 has revealed the organization of Roman Cahors, including its basilica and amphitheatre, as well as medieval and modern artefacts.
The context and discovery
The excavation follows an evaluation in 2003 preceding the construction of an underground car park. Archaeological sequences dating to the Gallo-Roman period, the Middle Ages and modern times were identified.
Capital of the Romanised Cardurques, Divona Cadurcorum, was established in a large meander of the River Lot. Represented among 60 cities at the temple of the capital of the Gauls, the city is known for its mosaics. Its water supply came from a major aqueduct, there were monumental baths, a theatre and a circular temple discovered in 2001.
Capital of the Romanised Cardurques, Divona Cadurcorum, was established in a large meander of the River Lot. Represented among 60 cities at the temple of the capital of the Gauls, the city is known for its mosaics. Its water supply came from a major aqueduct, there were monumental baths, a theatre and a circular temple discovered in 2001.
A monumental Antique ensemble
The Medieval and modern periods
The medieval remains, 2 m thick walls with strong buttresses, correspond to the foundations of the north-south oriented apse of the church of the ancient convent of the Cordeliers, which dates from the beginning of the 13th century. There are also brick built public latrines and the cellars of private buildings dating from the same period.
Several groups of kilns where fine pottery was produced at the end of the 15th century have been found.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Jesuits arrived and played an important role in education. The plans of their buildings are standard and repetitive and easily readable, especially since these are the last buildings on the site prior to its transformation in 1812 into a promenade with a musician's kiosk. A fountain (1870) and successive monuments dedicated to Fénelon (1820) and Gambetta (1884) were later added.
Several groups of kilns where fine pottery was produced at the end of the 15th century have been found.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Jesuits arrived and played an important role in education. The plans of their buildings are standard and repetitive and easily readable, especially since these are the last buildings on the site prior to its transformation in 1812 into a promenade with a musician's kiosk. A fountain (1870) and successive monuments dedicated to Fénelon (1820) and Gambetta (1884) were later added.
The evolution of an urban quarter over two millennia
Preliminary results demonstrate that traditional views about the evolution of the town need to be reconsidered. It was thought that this sector was the heart of the Gallo-Roman city, until around the 4th century when the city moved east where it was protected by fortifications constructed along the boulevard. These would have been the last buildings in this area until modern times.
We now know that this is not at all true, and that in peacetime, these areas, mostly dedicated to agricultural activity (the hortes), were used as suburbs to decongest the overpopulated quarters to the east.
We now know that this is not at all true, and that in peacetime, these areas, mostly dedicated to agricultural activity (the hortes), were used as suburbs to decongest the overpopulated quarters to the east.
Developers
Mairie de Cahors
Site Director
Didier Rigal, Inrap
Curation
Service régional de l'Archéologie (Drac Midi Pyrénées)
Voir l'album
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Plan of the Roman and Medieval city© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
View of the excavation with the façade of the amphitheater being uncovered.© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
A wall of the amphitheatre© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
East face of the basilica, sewer and cardo maximus© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
Fragments of monumental inscriptions engraved on marble. Gallo-Roman period© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
Fragments of monumental inscriptions engraved on marble. Gallo-Roman period© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
Female Gallo-Roman face in terra cotta© Didier Rigal, Inrap
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Apse of the Church of Cordeliers built in 1216© Didier Rigal, Inrap -
Jug made on site at the end of the 15th century and a ceramic female Gallo-Roman face.© Didier Rigal, Inrap
