Between Riaz and Marsens, to the west of the Lac de la Gruyère, a Gallo-Roman temple and a settlement including baths have been found.
Plan of the baths and settlement. The temple is to the south.
1: baths; 2-6: buildings; C2: road; F1-2: ditches; P1-2: wells.
Meylan-Rossler 2009, Fig. 4.At the north end of the settlement, to the west of a road, were baths (11 x 9 m.). They were investigated in 1854 and 1983. Two of the rooms had a hypocaust for heating. An iron ring was found with a blue intaglio depicting the seated Roma holding Victoria.
Remains of the baths. Photo: Meylan-Rossler 2009, Fig. 6.The buildings to the south of the baths were houses and workshops. They were excavated in the years 1983-1986. Blacksmiths were active here, witness the discovery of nearly three tonnes of iron slag throughout the area. Fragments of moulds for bronze objects and furnaces were also found.
Detail of a furnace. Photo: Meylan-Rossler 2009, Fig. 9.The temple was a bit to the south of the buildings, at the locality Tronche-Bélon. It was excavated in 1853 and 1974-1976, and then moved 18 meters to the west in order not to block a modern road. A first temple, from the first half of the first century, was made of wood. It was replaced by a temple of stone at the end of the first century (15.40 x 14.20 m. with a cella measuring 7.30 x 7.30 m.). The ambulatory was reached via a staircase and had limestone columns, 2.40-2.75 m. high.
View of the remains of the temple. Photo: Wikimedia, WWHenderson20.
Reconstruction of the temple. Photo: Wikimedia, Svislandano.Among the finds from the temple were many coins (the latest from the reign of Probus, 276-282 AD) and bronze objects: three small votive axes, six bells, fragments of statues (including a wing, probably of Victoria), and a head of Diana with a crescent moon.
The bronze votive axes and bells. Photo: ressources du canton de Fribourg.Fragments of votive inscriptions were found, including dedications to Mars Caturix, "Battle-King", and a list of financial contributions, possibly by the members of a religious organisation.
Fragment of a bronze tabula ansata with a dedication to Mars Caturix, MARTI CATVRIG(i).
The name of the dedicant, Iustinius Vatto, is a hypothetical addition. H. 0.07.
Kolb et al. 2022, nr. 80; EDCS-10800438. Photo: ressources du canton de Fribourg.A bit to the south-west remains of a villa were investigated in 1986-1987 (locality L'Etrey).
Literature
Schwab 1975; Vauthey 1985; Drack-Fellmann 1988, 491; Drack-Fellmann 1991, 216; Meylan 1992; Fuchs 1997; Meylan-Rossler 2009.
[11-Nov-2023]
