Major Archaeological Discovery Uncovered Near Marseille

Archaeologists from the National Archaeological Institute (Inrap) have uncovered a Roman complex dating back approximately 2,000 years in Gémenos, located 20 kilometers east of Marseille in the south of France. The site, which flourished between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, includes a villa, a thermal bath complex and evidence of agricultural production.

The discovery was made during preventive excavations conducted ahead of a development project. The site spans 4,000 square meters and reveals a structured landscape that connected urban living with the surrounding countryside.

Spatial Organization and the Roman Road

At the center of the excavated area is a north-south Roman road that served as a primary axis for the settlement. This road acted as a boundary, dividing the site into two distinct functional zones.

To the east of the road, archaeologists identified an agricultural zone. This area contains traces of ancient vineyards and dozens of circular pits, each measuring approximately one meter in diameter. These pits contained artifacts from the Roman period, though some also yielded medieval ceramics, indicating that the land continued to be used after the Roman era.

To the west of the road, the landscape transitioned into a more urbanized environment. This zone featured stone-built structures clustered along the roadside, which researchers believe served as the entrance zone to a larger settlement.

The Thermal Bath Complex

One of the most significant finds is a well-preserved thermal complex located near the ancient road. The baths were designed for both hospitality and comfort, featuring a marble-lined basin and fragments of painted wall decorations.

The facility utilized a hypocaust system, a Roman underfloor heating method. Archaeologists found heated rooms where hot air circulated beneath the floors via raised brick pillars, which remain in place. A furnace room was also discovered in a high state of preservation.

The scale of the baths has raised questions regarding their intended use. Researchers have noted that the size of the complex appears too large for private use, yet too small for major public baths.

Industrial and Residential Activity

Beyond the residential and agricultural areas, the excavations revealed evidence of industry. This includes the remains of what appears to be a metallurgical workshop, suggesting that the settlement was a site of production as well as habitation.

The combination of a villa, workshops, and cultivated land provides a detailed glimpse into the organization of Roman life on the outskirts of a town, illustrating how commerce, mobility, and daily residence intersected.

Excavation History and Context

The current findings are the result of long-term research by Inrap. Earlier excavation campaigns conducted between 2013 and 2023 had previously identified a small ancient settlement in adjacent areas.

Those earlier efforts established that the settlement was flanked by cultivated fields to the north, west, and south. The most recent operations have provided a more complete picture of the complex, revealing the road and the bathhouse that defined the settlement’s edge.