Archaeological Site of Alba-la-Romaine

The archaeological site of Alba-la-Romaine, corresponding to the Gallo-Roman city of Alba Augusta Helviorum or Alba Helviorum is located near the present town of Alba-la-Romaine [1]. The site is in the French department of Ardèche [1]. During the Roman Imperial era, Alba was the capital of the Celtic-speaking polity of Helvii, which had territory covering the area of lower Vivarais [1]. The existence of two Roman-style houses south-east of the site, inhabited in the first century BC, was revealed by the discovery of imported ceramics, as well as collars, handles, or lips of wine amphoras [1]. A complex network of pipes was discovered in 1966 [1]. Luxurious dwellings were discovered accidentally in 1967 in the south-east of the city, near to the river Escoutay [1].