Research on Nyon's Basilica

Recherches sur l'area publica de la Colonia Iulia Equestris, les basiliques (Nyon, canton de Vaud)

Caroline Brunetti and Christophe Henny

Scientific monograph (236 p.), Cahiers d’archéologie romande, Lausanne, C.A.R. No.136, Noviodunum V, 2012.

French, with summaries in German and Italian

The forum of the oldest colony on the territory of Switzerland, the Colonia Iulia Equestris (Nyon, Vaud) has undergone numerous intermittent and wide-ranging archaeological investigations since the discovery in 1974 of its two successive basilicas, enabling the identification of this sector of the old town as the political and religious centre of the Roman town. The book retraces the history of the research, sets out the stratigraphy of the public area of the forum, in particular the evolution of the basilica and its surrounds, establishes an accurate and reliable chronology based on the archaeological material from the several successive occupations in this part of the town and proposes an interpretive synthesis and directions for future research. It also establishes the development of the urban structure. A number of specialised studies round out the text: a new reading of the misnamed “Artemis” mosaic, located in the north gallery of the forum places emphasis on the rare or possibly unique nature of this find among the figured mosaics found north of the Alps; the book further includes a presentation of the wall paintings associated with the first basilica and a description of the architectural masonry discovered during the excavation of this sector of the public area of the forum.

This study should open the way to future research into other aspects of the site and monuments of the Colonia Iulia Equestris.

Reference: Brunetti Caroline and Christophe Henny (ed.), Recherches sur l’area publica de la Colonia Iulia Equestris (Nyon, canton de Vaud). Cahiers d’archéologie romande No.136, Noviodunum V, Lausanne 2013, 236 p.

The book will be proposed at the subscription price of 50 CHF to visitors to the Museum throughout the summer, until 30 September. This is only available for purchases made at the Museum. If you want to purchase this book outside the Museum, please contact directly the CAR:

Cahiers Archéologie Romande (CAR)

Palais de Rumine, Place Riponne 6, 1005 Lausanne

021 316 34 30

mcah@vd.ch