Gallo-Roman thermal complex unearthed in Warcq, Ardennes

During construction of a road link between the A3 and A304 near Warcq, France, a remarkably well-preserved building dating to around the 3rd century BCE was discovered by specialists from the Unité Archéologique Départementale. The remains are believed to belong to a Gallo-Roman villa. The thermal building spans over 300 square meters, divided into actual baths, a large open courtyard, and an exceptionally well-preserved cellar of about 20 square meters. The cellar walls, two meters high, feature niches where objects were found, now under analysis. The bath area contains numerous remnants of white marble flooring and wall mosaics that decorated the caldarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium. The heating and water circulation system, made with lead pipes, was also uncovered. Julien Bruyère, head of operations at the Unité Archéologique Départementale, stated: "From a scientific point of view, the site has an exceptional state of preservation," allowing for in-depth study. This discovery follows a 2014 find near Warcq of a Gallic burial of an aristocratic figure, a so-called "chariot tomb" reserved for high social status individuals, buried with their chariot and precious furnishings. That burial, found just 75 centimeters below ground, contained two iron wheel rims, bronze and gold objects, and two horse skeletons.