Author Description

This new addition to the Oxford Archaeological Guides series introduces the reader to The Midi, from the Massif Central to the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. World expert Henry Cleere concentrates on the rich archaeological heritage of this region, from the cave art of the Paleolithic period, when our ancestors were decorating caves and rock shelters with dramatic depictions of hunting and ritual, through the end of Roman Gaul, visiting such tourist centers as Carcassonne, Arles, Avignon, Provence, and Nice.After being annexed by Rome in the 2nd century BC, the prosperous new province was endowed with many fine public buildings, such as the amphitheaters and theaters at Arles, Nîmes, and Orange, the network of roads, and massive town walls. In addition, these areas offer a wealth of information about everyday life, such as the water mill at Barbégal, the potteries of La Graufesenque, and the houses of the town dwellers at Vaison-la-Romaine. Complete with maps, listings of museums, suggestions for further reading, and extensive coverage of sites, Southern France is the perfect guide for tourists and lovers of archaeology alike.