An unexpected first

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

During its heyday, a tavern in Roman France served wine, fish, meat and flatbread to hungry patrons, a new study finds. The tavern dates to just after the Roman conquest of southern France, and shows how the local Celtic culture integrated Roman aspects of living, such as communal eating, into everyday life. [Read the Full Story on the Roman Tavern]

Southern France

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

The archaeologists uncovered the ancient tavern at the archaeological site of Lattara.

Ancient city

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

The layout of Lattara (modern Lattes) at the end of the second century. The tavern is located in Zone 75.

Tavern excavation

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

An aerial view of the excavated tavern. Note the kitchen, which held the bread ovens and a millstone, and the dining hall, which has a bench around three of its walls.

Kitchen time

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

These three ocher-colored clay ovens were likely used to cook flatbread and other food.

Ash-filled oven

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

A view of the ash-filled oven next to an insert (lower right) of a modern tabouna (Tunisian bread) oven from Souidat, Tunisia.

Grinding stones

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

Three stone bases that likely held a millstone used to grind flour.

Animal bones

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

Cow and sheep bones discovered in the courtyard outside the tavern.

Offering to the gods

(Image credit: Copyright 2016 Antiquity Publications Ltd. Reprinted with the permission of Cambridge University Press)

A millstone, likely buried as an offering to the gods, that the archaeologists found in the courtyard.