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The history of Troyes written in wax
An archaeological excavation was conducted Place de la Libération in Troyes, from 2004 to 2006 before the construction of an underground car park.The results of an interdisciplinary approach paint a picture of an emerging ancient city and the daily life of a newly Romanized urban population in the early years AD, particularly social status, dietary customs and state of health.
Chronicle of site
Post date
11 September 2007
Last modified
06 February 2017
During prehistory, the environment was particularly inhospitable owing to frequent floods followed by the development of marshland.
It was not until the reign of Augustus around 20 BC that the area was drained by a network of ditches. An early habitat was characterized by pits and wooden houses.
Progressive urbanization in an inhospitable environment
Starting in the 30's AD, the building of Augustobona began with land drainage. The programme probably began under the reigns of Tiberius (14-37 AD) and then Claudius (41-54 AD), reaching its peak during the Flavian period (around 60-85). The city declined towards the end of the 3rd century.
Objects made from perishable materials: an aspect of Roman culture
During the excavation, around twenty latrines and wood lined wells, reused as waste pits, were found. These fragile constructions, perfectly preserved due to the permanent humidity of the soil, contained food remains. Coriander, oregano and grapes were some of the rich food products imported from the Mediterranean world. Around fifty wooden objects were discovered in the latrines and wells: a comb, a wooden box, maplewood spindle, wicker basketry, and especially spruce and fir tablets.
One of the most remarkable objects is a Gallo-Roman 1000 litre barrel. Preserved to a height of 1.3 m, with a diameter of nearly 1 m, it is formed of 19 staves (spruce and fir) encircled by hazelwood hoops. The barrel was reused as a well lining, thus permitting its perfect conservation. Fabricated around 47 BC, it must have originally been over 1.8 metres high. It was used to transport acetum—sour wine or vinegar—used in the preparation of posca, Roman soldiers' favourite drink, made from 1/10th acetum and 9/10ths water.
Is this one object sufficient to prove the temporary presence of a legion in Troyes, vector of Romanization under the Emperor Claudius (41-54)?
One of the most remarkable objects is a Gallo-Roman 1000 litre barrel. Preserved to a height of 1.3 m, with a diameter of nearly 1 m, it is formed of 19 staves (spruce and fir) encircled by hazelwood hoops. The barrel was reused as a well lining, thus permitting its perfect conservation. Fabricated around 47 BC, it must have originally been over 1.8 metres high. It was used to transport acetum—sour wine or vinegar—used in the preparation of posca, Roman soldiers' favourite drink, made from 1/10th acetum and 9/10ths water.
Is this one object sufficient to prove the temporary presence of a legion in Troyes, vector of Romanization under the Emperor Claudius (41-54)?
The tabulae ceratae of the Place de la Libération
In the Roman world, wax tablets were widely used for correspondence or official documents. Generally made from boxwood, these ten to twenty centimetres long plaques have a depressed surface into which a thin layer of tinted wax was poured, creating an infinitely erasable and renewable surface on which it was possible to write with a stylet.
The plaques were usually joined together in groups of two or more. Though several frescos from the 1st century in Pompeii illustrate their use, these wooden objects are rarely preserved.
Except for two made from spruce, all the elements are made from fir, some from the same trunk. These tablets are attributed to the second half of the 1st century and two of them are precisely dated by dendrochronology to 50 and 51 AD.
Some, which have surfaces with incisions in the wood that resemble writing, are in the course of study by epigraphists. Graffiti on the back of some tablets could indicate the contents or authors of the document.
The 26 objects from Troyes constitute a unique corpus in France, which resembles the finds at the small Roman fort of Vindolanda in England.
The plaques were usually joined together in groups of two or more. Though several frescos from the 1st century in Pompeii illustrate their use, these wooden objects are rarely preserved.
Except for two made from spruce, all the elements are made from fir, some from the same trunk. These tablets are attributed to the second half of the 1st century and two of them are precisely dated by dendrochronology to 50 and 51 AD.
Some, which have surfaces with incisions in the wood that resemble writing, are in the course of study by epigraphists. Graffiti on the back of some tablets could indicate the contents or authors of the document.
The 26 objects from Troyes constitute a unique corpus in France, which resembles the finds at the small Roman fort of Vindolanda in England.

Vue générale du site à Troyes, place de la Libération.
© Loïc de Cargouët, Inrap

Tonneau en épicéa et en sapin en cours en fouille, réutilisé comme cuvelage d'un puits, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère.
© Philippe Kuchler, Inrap

Boîte en buis peinte et décorée, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère.
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Détail de la marque du tonnelier frappée sur l'une des douelles du tonneau, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère
© Willy Tegel-Dendronet

Objet en osier, fin du Ier ou début du IIe siècle de notre ère.
© Patrick Barbier-Les brins d'osier

Peigne en buis, période flavienne (60/65-80/85 de notre ère).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tablette en épicéa à deux faces d'écriture, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (recto).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tablette en épicéa à deux faces d'écriture, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (verso).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tabletteen sapin à une face d'écriture, gravée au dos de graffitis, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (recto).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tablette en sapin à une face d'écriture, gravée au dos de graffitis, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (verso).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tablette en sapin à une face d'écriture, gravée au dos de graffitis, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (recto).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor

Tablette en sapin à une face d'écriture, gravée au dos de graffitis, milieu du Ier siècle de notre ère (verso).
© Inka Potthast & Ralf Riens-Konservierungslabor
Site director : Philippe Kuchler, Inrap
Curation : Service régional de l'archéologie (Drac Champagne-Ardenne)
Developper : Ville de Troyes
Contact(s) :
Mahaut Tyrrell
Media communication
Inrap, media partnerships and relations department
+33 (0)1 40 08 80 24
mahaut.tyrrell [at] inrap.fr