Today we visited the Gisacum -- Roman ruins just outside of Évreux, in Le Vieil-Évreux. This is the site where they discovered the bronze figure of Jupiter pictured in yesterday's entry.
We walked around the site, and saw the various rooms that figure into the bathing ritual, as well as the aquaduct and sites of the sanctuary and theatre. They have a research centre that is closed to the public -- they're still actively researching this place. It takes up 250 hectares!
The sanctuary portion of the Gisacum alone covers eight hectares. It's the second-biggest sanctuary in Gaul. The religious ceremonies held here could last several days, so there were accommodations for visitors, and likely taverns and inns. These were around the perimeter of the city.
A piping system supplied water from the aqueduct to the cold baths. Other piping carried water to bronze boilers placed above hearths; the warm water was then piped into the hot baths. Waste water was evacuated through the service courtyard, where it was first used to clean the latrines, then discharged from the city through a sewer duct under the street. The level of technology in 1st century just blows me away.
The interpretive centre was very good, and the staff was especially helpful. We had arrived too early, yet a woman opened it up and got brochures for us so we could explore the outside site. Then, when we were sitting on a bench, reading the brochures, she came running out to give us an English version. Really nice lady. Tons of stuff to see in the centre, and really nicely laid out. And free!!
After, we went to the organic grocery on a hunt for pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, olives and dates. Should have taken maybe 10 minutes, right? Well who knows how long we were in there!!! We finally found everything, then the cashier explained that we needed to go back and weigh them ourselves. LOL Who knew! He was very nice, and showed us how to do it. You punch the bin number into the scales, and it spits out a sticker with the price, so you can put it on the bag.
It worked perfectly until we got to the olives. Bin 98. And it gave us a sticker for chocolate rosettes. So we went back and asked the guy at the till. Ohhhh you have to use the OTHER scales. We did, and it worked out fine. It's those little things, when you're in an unfamiliar place, that take up so much time. But hey, it's all part of the rich tapestry!!
Did I mention that we saw some adorable sheep beside the archaeological site?
Bucolic
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