The Roman amphitheater delivers new archaeological secrets

Facked on the flanks of a green valley, limestone walls surrounding an oval arena can be discovered on the heights of Saintes (Charente-Maritime). These majestic ruins recall the glorious Gallo-Roman past of the city. Since 2018, an important study and catering campaign has been undertaken, the second phase of which has just ended. She has reserved a few surprises. The restoration proper was preceded by an “archeology of the building archeology” operation, that is to say auscultation of each moelon and mortar of the amphitheater, which lasted four months.

Elsa Ricaud, heritage architect in charge of the entire site, explains: “Before restoring the two doors, consolidating the arcs, restoring drainage … It was necessary to establish that this monument, several times restored since it was classified as historic monuments in 1840, still included real ancient levels. This is the case. Archaeologists helped each other in 3D surveys of all the walls.

During excavations, a moving testimony arose: the footprints of the Masons of Antiquity taken in the fresh mortar, “as if they had left the day before!” “Comments Karine Robin, head of the departmental archeology service who led the excavations on the site, with the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP).

We knew since the 19th century that the construction of the amphitheater had ended around 40 AD, because the scholars of the time had uncovered a engraved stone with a dedication to the Emperor Claude (41-54 after J.-C.).

The recent discovery of a career under the building site made it possible to specify that the work began in the wake of Roman colonization. Indeed, literally killing a stone, two strokes “, the builders extracted their blocks from the rock they were preparing to establish the stands. However, a ceramic found in the levels of this career mentions the reign of Augustus (27 BC at 14 after).

“The amphitheater is therefore one of the oldest in Roman Gaul, probably the first built. That of Nîmes will not rise until 90 AD ”, confirms Muriel Perrin, director of the heritage of the city. No doubt the strategic importance of Mediolanum (Roman name of Saintes), capital of Roman Aquitaine, she urgently made her embellishment in the eyes of the emperor.

The story to be rewritten

Archaeologists also discovered that the large blocks of stone erected all around the central arena had been restored at the end of the 3rd century. What is confirmed by another dating: “The gutter that goes around the arena to drain it was redone … at the end of the year 274! Says Karine Robin. Its oak cover (preserved by humidity) was dated thanks to dendrochronology – science which goes back in time counting the annual dark circles on ancient woods. “It was said so far that the amphitheater had been dismantled to build the rampart while the city retracted at the beginning of the 4th century,” continues the archaeologist. This new data invites us to rewrite history. The gladiator games therefore continued – in Saintes, and perhaps in other cities – until their ban, in 404, by the Christian Emperor Honorius, a hundred years later than we thought.

If the amphitheater no longer welcomes bear fights, it has become a popular green space, full of romanticism, conservatory of a fragile ecosystem. “It is an experimental project,” continues the architect. Before intervening, it was necessary to temporarily relocate 800 ALYtes birthdays – a kind of toads – in neighboring parks. And to prevent the scaffolding from destroying a wild orchid or the oregano plants that the azure of the serpolet, a protected blue butterfly, like. A whole discreet fauna and flora which, from this summer, will again be able to surprise the attentive visitor.

To visit the amphitheater: Saintes-tourisme.fr or 05 46 74 23 82.