Tasciaca

Tasciaca was an ancient vicus (secondary settlement) characterized by a series of Gallo-Roman settlements located in the communes of Thésée, Pouillé, and Monthou-sur-Cher, on either side of the Cher River, in the French department of Loir-et-Cher in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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Official website: www.tasciaca.com
Image: Tasciaca - montage.png

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Commons category: Site antique de Thésée-Pouillé

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Article

49 sections

Contents

Geographical and historical context
A river valley between two limestone hillsides
A strategic site at the crossroads of several regions
A stop on the Peutinger table
Ancient sites on either side of Tasciaca in the Cher valley
Timeline
A valley occupied since Mesolithic times
The heyday of the High Roman Empire
Focus on Theseus in the Middle Ages
Contemporary “Theseus” seeks to reconnect with its ancient past
Research, studies, and site enhancement
18th and 19th centuries: first mentions and scholarly work
20th century: gradual discovery of the site
21st century: collective interdisciplinary research program
Enhancement
Ancient site layout
Communication routes
The waterway, the Cher river crossing, and riverbank improvements
The Bourges-Tours overland route
Other land routes
The Mazelles complex
Description
Large north building
Other site amenities
Dating and chronology
Functions
The sanctuary
''Fanum''
Other fittings
Function
Craft activities
Pottery and ceramics
Furnaces
Local production
Imported products
Glassware and jewelry
Metallurgy
Facilities with ill-defined functions
Monthou-sur-Cher
Pouillé
Thésée
Public facilities to discover
Secondary conurbation functions
A proven production and trading center
Probable administrative, political, and religious functions
See also
Notes
References
Bibliography

Tasciaca appears on the Peutinger table, designating a stopover from Avaricum (Bourges) to Caesarodunum (Tours). The settlement, on the border of the civitates of the Turons, Carnutes, and Bituriges Cubes, seems to have been developing since the beginning of our era; it was very active during the High Empire, with significant production of common ceramics, glassware, and metal objects, before declining from the 2nd century onwards, without however being abandoned under the Merovingians.