Maison de Gailhan (Contemporaine)Musée de la Romanité
The museum features a life-size reconstruction that gives an insight into the lifestyle of a Gallic family.
Maison de Gailhan (Contemporaine) by image Art Graphique et PatrimoineMusée de la Romanité
This is the reconstruction of a Gallic house from the late 5th century BCE. The remains were found during excavations of the fortified hilltop village (oppidum) of Plan de la Tour, in Gailhan, in the Gard department of France. The layout is consistent with the remains. In contrast, the elevation is hypothetical.
The original complex consisted of a house and a courtyard with amenities. The walls were built of stones sealed with earth. The roof was probably made of wattle and daub (a mixture of earth and straw) laid on a set of wooden slats and beams.
Maison de Gailhan (Contemporaine) by image Art Graphique et PatrimoineMusée de la Romanité
The courtyard was a living space in itself and many domestic activities were carried out there: cooking (1), drying of cultivated or gathered products, or drying animal skins (2). There was also a shed that may have been used for livestock (3).
Céramiques de la maison de Gailhan (Âge du fer (2ème))Musée de la Romanité
The house consisted of two adjoining rooms separated by a light wooden partition. The one in the foreground was used for domestic chores. The other was the family's living quarters.
This room centers on 40 items of pottery intended for domestic use: cooking, storage, and eating. These ceramics were typical Gallic productions (and weren't made on a potter's wheel). Two flat slabs on the floor were used to grind cereals.
Dolia are large earthenware jars that were used to store cereals. They initially had lids, but these are rarely preserved.
Some medium-sized, low, and flared jars were used to display and eat food. The small bowls were used for drinking.
Céramiques de la maison de Gailhan (Âge du fer (2ème))Musée de la Romanité
This jug of Greek inspiration (from Marseille) was made on the wheel, and is an example of a pseudo-Ionian vase. It is decorated with geometric red-and-brown patterns—horizontal lines, torsades, and circles—the sub-geometric Rhodanian style.
Céramiques de la maison de Gailhan (Âge du fer (2ème))Musée de la Romanité
Some mid-sized, high, and narrow jars were used to cook food. They had lids that could also be used as containers.
Céramiques de la maison de Gailhan (Âge du fer (2ème))Musée de la Romanité
This jug of Greek inspiration (from Marseille) was made on the wheel, and is an example of a pseudo-Ionian vase. It is decorated with geometric red-and-brown patterns—horizontal lines on a beige background—the sub-geometric Rhodanian style.
Maison de Gailhan (Contemporaine)Musée de la Romanité
Family life happened in this room. The stone bench next to the walls was used for sleeping and sitting. It was often covered with mats or rugs. A hearth stood in the middle of the room.
Scène domestique; maison de Gailhan (Contemporaine) by image Opixido - Art Graphique et PatrimoineMusée de la Romanité
The hearth consisted of a clay slab on the ground that was decorated on its edges. Animal-headed andirons supported the logs. This arrangement served for cooking, as well as heating and lighting the room.
Musée de la Romanité de Nîmes - https://museedelaromanite.fr/
Realization: Ville de Nîmes - Musée de la Romanité
Iconography: © Ville de Nîmes - Musée de la Romanité
3D reconstruction © Opixido (https://opixido.com/), Art Graphique et Patrimoine (http://www.artgp.fr/), Ville de Nîmes - Musée de la Romanité
