The remains of a Roman-era well-maintained pool and wall surrounding a naturally occurring freshwater spring have been discovered by French archaeologists.
They believe these structures were built on the remains of a religious Neolithic complex that existed between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago. live science.
The statue of the goddess or Medusa next to the water source is one of the artifacts discovered in the Roman ruins, which are believed to have been built in the 3rd century, during the late imperial period.
The site also contains flint fragments, along with fragments of late Roman coins and pottery, one of which is thought to be a knife fragment previously sold during the Neolithic period.
The remains were discovered near the village of Chambeaure, about 20 kilometers north of the southwestern central city of Limoges, according to a statement translated by France's National Institute for Archeology (INRAP).
According to the statement, researchers also found evidence of a hole near the spring's source, which is believed to be from the Neolithic period and shows how it was used during that period.
With further exploration, archaeologists will be able to learn more about the site and its historical uses.
“These installations shed light on the context of occupation in late antiquity in an unusual way,” the statement said. “This type of rural area undoubtedly shows a gradual transition to the early medieval period.”