Agglomération secondaire du col de Ceyssat

About

The Roman agglomeration of the Col de Ceyssat is a small Roman town located between 1,000 and 1,150 m above sea level, at the foot of the Puy de Dome and its sanctuary dedicated to Mercury. The agglomeration is located in the heart of the territory of the city of Arvernes, in Aquitaine Gaul, just ten kilometers from its capital Augustonemetum/Clermont-Ferrand. The site of the pass itself is occupied from the end of protohistory, although the nature of this occupation is not known.

The settlement of the Roman secondary agglomeration is dated from the course of the 1st century AD.Structured by the way of Agrippa between Lugdunum (Lyon) and Mediolanum Santonum (Saintes), this polynuclear city occupies between ten and fifteen hectares, on which four sectors have been recognized. At the pass and directly in contact with the Agrippa track, the road relay is the heart of the agglomeration. While regulating the flow of travelers and pilgrims wishing to climb the Puy de Dome to access the Summital Shrine of Mercury, its function was probably to provide accommodation, catering and shops for travellers from all walks of life.

The north side...