Oppidum de Murcens, Ancient fortified settlement in Cras, France.
The Oppidum de Murcens is a Gallic fortified settlement from the 1st century BCE located on limestone cliffs above the Vers River in Cras. The site contains walls and structural remains that show how people defended themselves during that period.
The settlement was founded in the 1st century BCE as a Gallic fortification and was later abandoned as inhabitants moved elsewhere during the Roman expansion. The population shift represented a major change in how people organized their communities during this turbulent period.
The fortification here displays a southern style of Gallic military engineering using stone construction methods that rarely appear elsewhere in this area. Visitors can still observe these building techniques in the landscape today and gain insight into how ancient people defended their communities.
The site sits on elevated terrain with sweeping views, so expect some walking to explore all areas. The ground can become slippery in wet weather, making sturdy footwear a good choice.
Scientific study of this location only began in the 19th century, even though ruins had been visible in the landscape for a long time. This reveals how many archaeological treasures went overlooked until someone decided to document them properly.
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