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  Ensérune Shown within France | |
| Location | Nissan-lez-Enserune |
|---|---|
| Region | Occitanie,France |
| Coordinates | 43°18′22″N3°08′17″E / 43.3061°N 3.138°E /43.3061; 3.138 |
| Type | oppidum |
| History | |
| Cultures | Elisyces,Gauls later Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Archaeologists | Félix Mouret [fr],Louis Sigal [fr],Jean Jannoray [fr],Joseph Giry [fr] |
| Public access | Yes |
| Website | http://www.enserune.fr/en/ |
TheOppidum d'Ensérune is an ancient hill-town (oroppidum) near the village ofNissan-lez-Ensérune,France, located betweenBéziers andNarbonne close to the D609 (formerlyRN9) andCanal du Midi. It has been listed since 1935 as amonument historique by theFrench Ministry of Culture.[1]
The settlement was occupied without interruption between the 6th century BC and 1st century AD[2] on a hill with good views over the coastal plain, being close to theVia Domitia, the Montady lake, and fertile agricultural land below.
There is a museum on the site which offers a display of some of the finds on the site, as well as giving more information about the fort and the field system.
Below theoppidum was theswamp of Montady, (centred on43°19′12″N3°07′24″E / 43.32000°N 3.12333°E /43.32000; 3.12333 ), which is now wedge shaped fields separated by irrigation ditches that converge in the centre. In the 13th century, the swamp was drained; the ditches allowed water to flow to the centre of the circular depression, from which it was conveyed through underground pipes several kilometres to the south. The drainage is still functional and remains in use.
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
43°18′38″N3°6′55″E / 43.31056°N 3.11528°E /43.31056; 3.11528
