Chronology of the Excavation

History of the Excavation

The 139 houses built inside and around the Arena were purchased by the City in 1786, and some were destroyed in 1787 and 1789.

C. L. Clérisseau
H. Gautier

In 1811-1812, all of the constructions inside the monument were destroyed and the amphitheater started to be cleared out. Then the excavation began, and the first restoration campaigns were conducted under the direction of Victor Grangent. The vaults and staircases were repaired, and the tiered stone seating was rebuilt.

C. E. Durand
A. de Seynes
S. Durant
F. A. Perrot
P. Mérimée
A. Pelet
C. A. Questel
N. Chambaud

Restoration work continued from 1854 to 1870 thanks to H. Revoil, respecting the principle of not rebuilding, only supporting. The work concerned the consolidation of the lintels on the first upper level, the reconstruction of many staircases, and the restoration of the first ten tiers of seating.

A. P. Simil

From 1935 to 1945, restoration operations continued to focus on the consolidation of the lintels on the first upper level, and some of the arches were repaired. Ideas started to circulate about illuminating the Arena

L Sallez
A. Chauvel
E. Chauliat
P. Colas
J. Formige
J. Sonnier

Several interventions on the pilasters, arches and vaults were made in 1953 and 1954, and from 1960 to 1968, when the external stonework was consolidated. Work was completed to protect the amphitheater and the excavation of the rampart near the amphitheater was organized.

P. Vaugelade
V. Lassalle
J.-P. Dufoix
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With funding from the
DRAC Languedoc Roussillon
Préfet du Languedoc-Roussillon
Universcience
Investissements d'avenir
INRAP
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