Apta Julia, Archaeological site in Apt, France
Apta Julia is a Roman settlement in Apt in southeastern France, with remains lying approximately 6 meters beneath the current streets and buildings. The site includes residential and public spaces with preserved mosaic floors that show a prosperous community from the first century.
The settlement was established on orders of Julius Caesar in 45 BC following the destruction of the Celtic community of Vulgientes that previously stood on this site. The new town grew quickly into an important trading center following Roman urban patterns.
The excavated floors show mosaics made with black tesserae arranged in flower patterns, revealing how Roman artisans worked in the first century. These surfaces speak to a way of life that blended practical spaces with crafted beauty.
The excavations cannot be viewed directly on site since they lie beneath the modern town. To see the finds, visitors can visit the Museum d'Apt at Place du Postel, which displays pottery and other objects from the Roman period.
Of all the Roman settlements between Rome and Spain, this was the only one granted the name designation Julia. This honor reflects the special importance Rome placed on this emerging trade center.
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