Amphoralis, Archaeological museum in Sallèles-d'Aude, France.
Amphoralis is an archaeological museum in Sallèles-d'Aude built on the grounds of an ancient pottery workshop where craftspeople produced vessels, bricks, and roof tiles. The site displays reconstructed kilns, workshop areas, and more than 700 ceramic pieces from different periods of ancient production.
The site functioned as an active production center from the first century BCE until the third century CE, first uncovered through systematic excavations starting in the 1970s. The discoveries show that pottery making continued over several centuries while gradually adapting its production methods.
The workshops reveal how artisans created vessels for wine transport using techniques passed down through generations. This craft tradition shaped life in the region and made it a major center of ceramic production in ancient times.
The grounds are easily accessible and walkable on a designated trail that leads through the various workshop areas and reconstructed kilns. Plan extra time for the outdoor sections since much of the exhibition is in the open air and exploring at your own pace is part of the experience.
The museum maintains a botanical garden containing 160 plant species documented from ancient texts that reflect the daily environment of the potters. This plant collection shows which species grew in the region during production times and how the natural surroundings shaped daily life.
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