"Little Pompeii" with ancient luxury villas found in France

Archaeologists have discovered the well preserved ruins of an ancient Roman neighbourhood of luxury homes and vast public spaces in France, a site that is being described as a "little Pompeii".
Like Pompeii, the ancient Roman site near Naples, much of the site was buried under ash which helped to preserve it.
It was discovered in the outskirts of the city of Vienne, and contained several villas and public buildings. Many household objects were also found preserved in ash.
"It is undoubtedly the most exceptional excavation of a Roman site in 40 or 50 years," said Benjamin Clement, an archaeologist at the University Lyon in France.

The district is believed to have been inhabited for about 300 years, until it was abandoned after a series of fires.
The site had villas dating from the 1st century AD. One villa has been dubbed the Bacchanalian House because its tiled floor depicts a procession of maenads, female followers of Roman god of wine Bacchus and satyrs, male companions with goat-like features, 'The Telegraph' reported.

It is believed to have been the home of a wealthy merchant, as it had marble tiling, extensive gardens and a water supply system, researchers said.
The site covers an area of 75,000 square feet - an unusually large find in an urban area is located on the River Rhone.

Vienne became a major urban centre under Julius Caesar and is known for its Roman theatre and temple, researchers said.