SAINTE-COLOMBE
Gironde, France.
A
Gallo-Roman villa first noted in 1843 (mosaic), excavated in part in 1884-85, and again explored in 1963-66. The construction is regular, a core of mortared rubble faced with small blocks. The excavated area (60 x 20 m)
represents the S wing of the complex. The W half of this
wing, which is largely covered by the village church, contained two geometric mosaics (lozenges bordered with
cable moldings). The E half belongs to the artisans'
quarter; four tiled basins (3.5 x 1.5 m; 1.5 x 1.5 m) set
on two levels connect with each other and empty into
a drain made of tiles. A small cup at the bottom of each
one allowed them to be drained completely. These basins,
which were watertight, are similar in size and construction technique to those uncovered in Gironde (Loubens, Bagas, Merignas, Cadillac), Dordogne (Montcaret, Allas-les-Mines), and Charente, and apparently
were part of a wine-making installation. The excavated
remains date from the 4th c., but must have an Early
Empire stratum below them. The site was filled in again
in 1966.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
R. Guinodie,
Compte-rendu de la Commission des Monuments Historiques (1843) 19; J. Coupry, “Informations,”
Gallia 23, 2 (1965) 421-22
PI; 25,
2 (1967) 3421; R. Coste, “Fouilles gallo-romaines à
Sainte-Colombe,”
Revue Historique et Archéologique du
Libournais 127 (1968) 18-20
PI; 133 (1969) 93-104; 134
(1969) 113-28.
M. GAUTHIER
