Villa romaine En Saules
Origin of the name Villa romaine En Saules
The site takes its name from the En Saules locality, which swisstopo and the cantonal archaeology service spell « En Saule ». The origin of the place name has not yet been explained.[2][4]
Founding of Villa romaine En Saules
A Gallo-Roman rural estate was established at the En Saules locality, in today's municipality of Bernex. The pottery and coins reportedly date its use from the reign of Augustus to the late 5th century. An enclosure wall bounded a complex of about 230 m by 123 m. The main house has not been found: the neighbouring church of Saint-Maurice is said to stand on its remains. The Roman villa of the 1st and 2nd centuries was discovered in 1968, together with post holes of early medieval huts. The excavations, led by Daniel Paunier, lasted until 1971 (or 1972, an uncertain date). The cantonal archaeology service describes the site as an « établissement rural gallo-romain ».[1][2][3]
History of Villa romaine En Saules
Reign of Augustus. Probable beginning of the occupation of the site, according to the pottery and coins.[3]
1st-2nd century. A Roman villa stands at the En Saules locality.[1]
Late 5th century. The estate is said to have still been in use at this time.[3]
Early Middle Ages. Post-built huts are put up on the site.[1]
1968. Discovery of the Roman villa and of the post holes of early medieval huts.[1]
1968-1971. Excavation of the Gallo-Roman rural estate, led by Daniel Paunier, from 1968 to 1971 (or 1972, uncertain end date).[2]
1971. Daniel Paunier publishes « L'établissement gallo-romain de Bernex (GE) » in the yearbook of the Swiss Society for Prehistory and Archaeology.[2]
2016. From 2 to 12 May, the cantonal archaeology service digs seven test trenches at 71 chemin de Saule ahead of a housing project. They yield a little Roman pottery and a medieval coin, and the investigations are not continued.[2]
Remains in Villa romaine En Saules
Enclosure wall and secondary buildings. The 1968-1971 excavations uncovered part of the enclosure wall, with a 4.50 m wide gate, and five secondary buildings, including a dwelling with two hearths and an oven and a probable storehouse. Whether these remains are visible today is uncertain.[3]
Inscription. Near the gate, outside the enclosure wall, a limestone inscription fragment read as « DIV FVLG C » is said to mark the ritual burial of a lightning bolt.[3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bernex » (Jacques Barrelet), version du 15.01.2026
- République et canton de Genève, Service cantonal d'archéologie, Bernex, En Saule (Bx 01-02), rapport de campagne de sondages (Denis Genequand), 2016
- Ostia-antica.org, « Bernex » (Suisse, canton de Genève)
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (En Saule, Bernex, coordonnées du lieu-dit)
Other villages near Villa romaine En Saules
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