Entremont

Entremont is a 3.5-hectare archaeological site three kilometres from Aix-en-Provence at the extreme south of the Puyricard plateau. In antiquity, the oppidum at Entremont was the capital of the Celtic-Ligurian confederation of Salyes. It was settled between 180 and 170 BCE, somewhat later than the inhabitation of other oppida, such as Saint-Blaise (7th to 2nd centuries BCE). The site was abandoned when it was taken by the Romans in 123 BCE and replaced by Aquae Sextiae (modern Aix-en-Provence), a new Roman city founded at the foot of the plateau. By 90 BCE, the former oppidum was completely uninhabited.

The site contains two distinct areas of settlement surrounded by ramparts. Archaeologist Fernand Benoit named the older area, on the summit, 'Ville Haute', and the lower 'Ville Basse'. Subsequently it was recognised that the latter was an enlargement of the former, and they are now labelled 'Habitat 1' and 'Habitat 2', respectively.

Finds from the site are displayed at Musée Granet and include statues, bas-reliefs and impressive severed heads.

References:

• Wikipedia

Address

Avenue Fernand Benoît 960, Aix-en-Provence, France

Details

Founded: 180 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in France
Historical period: Arrival of Celts (France)