UZES, FRANCE—The International Business Times reports that a team led by Philippe Cayn of the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research has uncovered traces of the Roman city of Ucetia, which dates back to the first century B.C. “Prior to our work, we knew that there had been a Roman city called Ucetia only because its name was mentioned on a stela in Nimes,” said Cayn. “It was probably a secondary town, under the authority of Nimes.” One large, four-roomed building, which stood until the end of the first century A.D., contained a large mosaic floor made up of geometric shapes and animals. Cayn explained that such mosaics usually date to the first and second centuries A.D., but this one is estimated to be about 200 years older. Two other rooms had cement floors and walls decorated with painted plaster. A colonnade suggests the building was a public space. The excavation will continue through this summer. To read about extraordinary wall paintings found at a nearby Roman house, go to "France's Roman Heritage."
