The center of the Roman city of Lugdunum was established more than 2000 years ago at a crossroads where an important market was held. The monument with its circular enclosure was built in the 10th century AD on the site of this primitive crossroads.
Around this symbolic center, the Gallo-Romans built, in the space of a century, a city equipped with its principal public monuments: temple, public baths, market, theater; then in the following centuries and towards the periphery: amphitheatre, military camp, port.
In the 5th century, in spite of the construction of the rampart which fortified the upper city where the constructions developed, the lower city was not abandoned. Life continued around the new centers such as the Christian basilica or the central square of the city.
Other abandoned buildings were looted for their stones and marble decorations, reused elsewhere or transformed into lime. This explains why excavations only reveal the base of the walls of these public buildings.
The ancient site of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges is still of great interest to specialists. In June 2016, a new campaign of archaeological research brought to light the foundations of a mausoleum of exceptional size. A real investigation therefore begins under the leadership of William Van Andringa (professor at the University of Lille-III and director of research at the Collegium for Advanced Studies in Helsinki and specialist in Pompeii) and his team who will resume possession of the site during 2017. This research program is planned for 5 years.
