EXHIBITION "SEPTIMANIE. LANGUEDOC AND ROUSSILLON FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE MIDDLE AGES"

The new exhibition "Septimanie. Languedoc and Roussillon from Antiquity to the Middle Ages" will be on show from 17 June 2023 to 5 February 2024 at the Site archéologique Lattara-musée Henri Prades of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.

Septimania. This term, which appeared at the dawn of the 5th century to designate the northern part of the Visigoth kingdom, was used many times up until the year 1000 to define a shifting territorial unit, whose centre of gravity was located around the powerful bishopric of Narbonne.

During this period, between the disappearance of the Roman Empire at the end of the 5th century and the emergence of feudal society around the year 1000, the region underwent profound upheaval. The exhibition takes a fresh look at this chronological sequence, which spans some five centuries and has long been regarded as a period of transition, the archaeological and artistic interest of which has often been underestimated or devalued, using the examples of Languedoc and Roussillon. However, research carried out over the last few decades - and in particular preventive and programmed archaeological excavations - has shown the wealth of evidence that has been preserved and the importance of continuity, a far cry from the image of a "dark age" to which the sudden collapse of the Roman Empire would have given rise. It is now important to provide the public with an up-to-date account of the latest developments in our knowledge of settlements, trade and commerce, population movements, religion and burial practices.

Between the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Franks, the shifting territory of Septimania forms the essential geopolitical backdrop to the exhibition. However, the focus will be more on the day-to-day history of the men and women who farmed and dominated this land, traded and exchanged, the powerful and the wretched, whom archaeology is now making it possible to situate more clearly, step by step. Based on the presentation of some 200 objects, most of them recent and previously unpublished finds, four major themes will illustrate the various aspects of early medieval society: places of power and might; religion and society; crossroads of cultures; housing, work and production in the countryside.

A number of emblematic archaeological sites from the period will be highlighted, some of which are located within the Montpellier metropolitan area (Maguelone) or close to it (Mauguio, Lunel, Aimargues).

This exhibition was designed by the Site archéologique Lattara - musée Henri Prades, in collaboration with the CNRS, Inrap, the Service régional de l'archéologie - Drac Occitanie and the LabEx Archimede.

The archaeological museum is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10am to 12pm and from 1.30pm to 5.30pm,
Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm to 6pm (November 1 to March 31) and from 2pm to 7pm (April 1 to October 31).
Closed on tuesday

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