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Vieux-la-Romaine Archaeological Museum

The Vieux-la-Romaine Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum located in the municipality of Vieux. It was inaugurated on 21 February 2002.

History
Foundation and peak during Antiquity The museum is located on the site of the Roman city of Aregenua, which was founded in the 1st century, likely during the reign of Emperor Augustus. The city developed under his successors, Tiberius and Claudius, and reached its peak in the 2nd and 3rd centuries, with an estimated population of around 5,000 over 30–37 hectares. The first Roman-style buildings appeared around 120–140, In the 3rd century, the city became known as Civitas Viducassium and joined the Gallic Empire under Postumus during the Crisis of the Third Century. Decline began in the mid-3rd century, with the abandonment of several districts. Aregenua was the capital of the Viducasses, The city was granted Latin rights, and its inhabitants were exempt from the tributum soli, the land tax owed to Rome. The administrative complex included buildings such as the basilica and the curia. Christianization and ruralization in the Middle Ages Christianity became established in the settlement between the 5th and 7th centuries, during a period of increasing ruralization. In the Merovingian period, the site experienced renewed development before the population gradually relocated to a more northerly area. Rediscovery in the modern and contemporary periods Excavations at the site of Aregenua began in the 17th century in the southern part of the village Excavations gained particular significance in the 19th century under the direction of the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy. Archaeological programs in the Vieux-la-Romaine area were initiated in the 1980s by the Calvados Department Archaeological Service, established in 1982. with the long-term goal of creating an archaeological center featuring site restoration and public access. The creation of the parking area in 2001 led to the rediscovery of an entertainment building previously identified between 1952 and 1954. The museum was inaugurated on 21 February 2002 by Anne d'Ornano. In 2005, the General Council of Calvados acquired the plot known as the "Champ des Crêtes" to establish an archaeological reserve and prevent residential development. == Museum complex ==
Museum complex
Forum The forum was constructed at the beginning of the 2nd century and underwent two modifications: at the end of the 2nd century and during the first third of the 3rd century. Excavations at the forum site began in 1703 under the supervision of Nicolas-Joseph Foucault. On 19 March 1840, de Caumont cleared the walls and part of the seating of the Curia. In 1859, Charma and the Société des Antiquaires de Normandie produced plans of the building and documented recently revealed marble decorations. The Society of Antiquaries of Normandy continued excavations through the second half of the 19th century. A new archaeological campaign began in 1972, uncovering remains from the reigns of Tiberius and Nero through the 4th century. followed by additional excavations in 2007 and 2008. The forum is rectangular, measuring 115 m by 51.5 m, and is situated off-center on a plateau overlooking the La Guigne valley. It is accessed via two decumani and one cardo, and is surrounded by shops. Archaeologists have recovered 36,280 fragments, which have helped reconstruct part of the building's decoration. File:Vieux-la-Romaine_-_Plan_général_du_forum.svg|General plan of the forum at the end of the 2nd century. File:Vieux-la-Romaine_-_Plan_du_forum_(partie_orientale).svg|Origin of the various decorative stones used in the forum. File:Vieux-la-Romaine_fouille_archéologique_01.jpg|Overview of the excavations. File:Vieux-la-Romaine_fouille_archéologique_02.jpg|Panoramic view of the excavations. File:Forum_de_Vieux_2016_10.jpg|Foundations of part of the forum. File:Forum_de_Vieux-la-Romaine_01_-_dernière_saison_de_fouilles_2016.jpg|Remains of the Curia. House with the U-shaped courtyard The construction of the house is generally dated to the late 1st century or early 2nd century, although some evidence suggests it may date to the second half of the 2nd century or early 3rd century. Toward the end of the Roman period, the house likely housed an artisan working with bone. The original cellar was filled in during this time. and the Roman remains suffered degradation during the medieval period due to exposure to the elements. Excavations at the house began in the 1990s, and a shelter was constructed in 2008 as part of site enhancements. Archaeological investigations revealed part of a Tuscan-order column, as well as human and animal remains, including a child aged eight to ten and a horse. The house was connected to the period's sewer network. In the mid-2nd century, a stone insula was built, which was later replaced by two houses, one of which in the western part was quickly demolished. Around 170–180, a house with a small peristyle was constructed. At the end of the 2nd century or the beginning of the 3rd century, the house was expanded into the house with the large peristyle. After another fire in the early 4th century, the building was used for material recovery and reuse. By the 18th century, the site was completely covered with soil and converted into cultivated land. The first discovery at the site, a mosaic, was made in 1812. In 1826, the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy initiated excavations. The tutela of Vieux-la-Romaine was discovered in August 1988. The house was prepared for public access starting in September 1992 and opened in July 1993, with its gardens also opening that year. after which the site was reburied. == Description ==
Description
The museum includes two restored Gallo-Roman villas: the house with the U-shaped courtyard and the house with the large peristyle. Portions of the façade incorporate glass and concrete to reflect modern architectural elements. The first room focuses on the development and layout of the ancient city of Aregenua. in a garden near the public fountain or in 1829 near the Church of Saint-Martin, Giberville. It was acquired by Gervais de La Rue for the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy and moved to Caen, where it was kept in the Pavilion of learned societies. On 12 September 1983, it was moved to the Museum of Normandy in Caen under inventory number D.S.A.N. 83-759. In 2024, it was deposited at the Vieux Archaeological Museum. The tripod measures 0.93 m in height and is designed to be foldable and portable. The basin at the top of the tripod is a modern reconstruction. File:Musée_Normandie_trépied.JPG|Exhibited at the Normandy Museum between September 12, 1983, and early 2024. File:Trépied_de_Giberville_musée_de_vieux.jpg|Exhibited at the Vieux Museum since 2024. File:Trépied_de_Giberville_-_Schéma.svg|Diagram. File:Trépied_de_Giberville_gravure_par_Léchaudé_d'Anisy_1832_Société_des_antiquaires_de_Normandie.png|Engraving by in the 19th century. Tutela A Gallo-Roman statue, known as a tutela, is displayed in Room 1 of the museum. It originates from the reception room of the house with the large peristyle. == See also ==
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