Diodurum, Archaeological site in Jouars-Pontchartrain, France.
Diodurum is an archaeological site in Jouars-Pontchartrain containing the remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement with temples, sanctuaries, and an ancient theater positioned at a strategic crossroads. The excavations reveal the layout of what was once an administrative and trading center, with building foundations that are still clearly visible.
The settlement was founded in the 1st century BCE and served as the main administrative and trading center of the Île-de-France region until the 6th century. In the 12th century, the land was transformed into a Cistercian farm called Ferme d'Ithe, layering medieval remains over the earlier Roman occupation.
The name Diodurum comes from Gaulish words 'divo' meaning divine and 'duron' meaning gate, reflecting how ancient people viewed this place as a sacred passage. You can sense this connection to Celtic roots when walking through the temple remains scattered across the site.
You can join archaeological workshops, guided tours, and pottery-making sessions led by professional archaeologists across the site. The different excavation areas are easy to navigate, offering chances to watch the work or participate directly in the activities.
The site preserves multiple layers of occupation, with medieval remains from the Ferme d'Ithe sitting directly above Roman foundations, revealing two distinct periods in one place. This layering shows how locations were reused and reshaped over many centuries.
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