Tamaris is an archaeological site located in the commune of Martigues, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of France. It was an ancient fortified settlement belonging to the Avatici, a Celtic-Ligurian tribe who inhabited the region during the Iron Age.
The settlement was occupied mainly during the first half of the 5th century BC. The site is considered one of the important examples of early urbanized settlements in southern Gaul before the Roman conquest.
History
During the Iron Age, the region around modern Martigues was inhabited by Celtic-Ligurian communities. Tamaris was one of several fortified settlements in the area, located near the Greek colony of Massalia (modern Marseille).
The settlement declined following the development of Massalia and changes in regional trade networks. Archaeological evidence indicates that Tamaris was occupied for a relatively short period before being abandoned.
Archaeology
Excavations at Tamaris have revealed defensive structures, including fortification walls, as well as residential buildings. The settlement displays differences between domestic areas, with simpler houses in the northern part and more complex domestic units in the southern part of the site.
Archaeological finds include locally produced material as well as imported Greek and Etruscan ceramics, reflecting the influence of Mediterranean trade on Iron Age communities in southern Gaul.
See also
- Martigues
- Pre-Roman Gaul
- List of archaeological sites in France
Further reading
fr:Tamaris (archéologie)