Oppidum de la Cloche, Archaeological site in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, France.
The Oppidum de la Cloche occupies a strategic hilltop position overlooking the eastern shore of the Étang de Berre, featuring well-preserved stone ramparts and defensive structures that once protected an ancient settlement during the Iron Age period.
This fortified settlement was established in the 3rd century BC and was destroyed during Julius Caesar's siege of Massalia in 49 BC, serving as a crucial defensive position controlling the trade routes between the Étang de Berre and Marseille.
Archaeological excavations have revealed ritual spaces at the summit of the site, along with human skulls and ceremonial objects that demonstrate the religious practices and burial customs of the ancient Gallic and Roman populations who inhabited this region.
The site has been classified as a historical monument since 2004, with access facilitated by local signage and information panels, though visitor numbers remain relatively limited, contributing to its peaceful atmosphere for exploration.
Among the remarkable discoveries is a fragment of a 3rd-century BC statue depicting a seated warrior with an engraved ring, which is now displayed at the Marseille History Museum and represents exceptional ancient artistic craftsmanship.
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