Following on from the 3rd International Congress on “Thermal spas and territory: the role of mineral-medicinal waters in the Roman provinces” in Madrid, Spain (2023) we are pleased to inform you that we are working on the organization of the 4th International Thermal workshop that will take place in Vichy (France) at the end of May 2025.

After the development and flourishing of thermalism in Roman times, a new revival took place in the 19th century, giving rise to a very rich thermal culture, together with increasing progress in the field of medical hydrology, promoting the development of thermal towns in a large number of countries. This period was also marked by the rise in interest in Antiquity, which fascinated doctors and scholars alike. Thus, archaeology became associated with medical research and contributed to the renown of spa towns, all claiming an undoubted antiquity, to the point of amplifying and even distorting the archaeological reality.

Nevertheless, abundant documentation from when the modern towns were being built shows us that a large number of archaeological remains were revealed during this period, most of which have been greatly altered or destroyed. Obviously, this makes the study of these sites very complex. However, this question can be tackled by re-examining the old data from a new perspective and using modern tools (non-invasive methods, specialised studies, etc.), which enable us to take a new critical look at these structures and materials. Therefore, this colloquium aims to highlight the benefits of reviewing and comparing a large number of case studies and work on sites that have been excavated or studied in the past, but which can be restudied and rediscovered in order to show the significance of these spas over the centuries, as well as analysing their state of preservation and the valuable information available on them.

Thus, as for the previous conferences, the first of which was in Kiel (Germany) in 2020, then Basel (Switzerland) in 2021 and Madrid (Spain) in 2023, this congress, that will take place in a well-renowned thermal site like the city of Vichy (France), will be focused specifically on Ancient thermalism with the aim of promoting new studies on this subject.

In addition to the topics discussed in the previous meetings and at recent events (Nanterre 2024), we propose to return to the historiography, rediscovering the archaeological evidence uncovered in the 19th century, as aspects of fundamental interest to be explored. Furthermore, we’ve been wondering: what should be done with these ancient remains now located in active spa installations or in private collections? What sort of remains are found? How should they be documented and preserved in the 21st century? And, of course, even more importantly: How should we interpret and protect this heritage? Have these sites been well studied and understood? What type of restauration should be applied (techniques, materials, architecture, etc)? Could we learn about this aspect through archaeology?

In the light of these considerations, this conference will be focused on the following themes:

- Methodology for recovering old data: new tools, new proposals.

- Recent reinterpretations of thermal archaeological sites.

- The preservation of this thermal heritage: History of discoveries and collections; history of architectural restoration and development of curative spa sites; difficulties and solutions for conserving remains, etc.

- The specific features of Roman healing spas.

- The thermal phenomenon from the hydrology, medicine and uses since Antiquity.

- Diachronic role of thermalism since Roman times.

The goal is to integrate all the new archaeological research on this subject to create a discussion about Roman thermalism (using mineral-medicinal waters), so we will try to adopt a hybrid format (in person and online). As for the previous meetings, the idea is to reinforce a network to discuss ideas and experience related to the study of Ancient spas, focussing on Roman bath establishments with mineral-medicinal waters.

Scientific and practical coordination

. Lise AUGUSTIN ROLLAND, Archaeologist, researcher with responsibility for scientific mediation, Maison des Sciences Humaines (MSH) de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA)

. Élise NECTOUX, Heritage conservationist, Service régional de l’archéologie, DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, ArAr (UMR 5138)

. Silvia GONZALEZ SOUTELO, Lecturer in Classical Archaeology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (MIAS).

Scientific committee

. Simon BARATON, Archaeologist in charge of operations, INRAP Midi-Méditerranée

. Maddalena BASSANI, Associate Professor of Classical Archaeology, University of Venice

. Pr. Yves-Jean BIGNON, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Université Clermont Auvergne, Chairman of ThermAuvergne, Chairman of the Innovatherm regional cluster, 1st Vice-President of the Société Française de Médecine Thermale, Founder of IIMT (Interuniversity Institute of Thermal Medicine)

. Didier BOISSEUIL, Lecturer in medieval history, CETHIS (EA6298), Université de Tours

. Aldo BORLENGHI, Lecturer in archaeology and Roman history, Université Lumière Lyon 2, ArAr (UMR 5138)

. Alain BOUET, Professor of Roman archaeology, Ausonius (UMR 5607), Université Bordeaux Montaigne

. Anne-Laure FOULCHE, Researcher, Service régional de l’archéologie, DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, ArAr (UMR 5138)

. Carlotta FRANCESCHELLI, Lecturer in archaeology and Roman history, Université Clermont Auvergne

. Rodrigue GUILLON, Archaeologist-Geomorphologist, Service d’archéologie préventive du département de l’Allier (SAPDA), PhD in geoarchaeology, ArScAn (UMR 7041)

. Sébastien NIELOUD-MULLER, Researcher, Département de la Savoie, ArAr (UMR 5138)

. Gabriel ROCQUE, Archaeologist, Service d’archéologie préventive du département de l’Allier (SAPDA), CITERES (UMR 7324)

. Jacopo TABOLLI, Associate Professor, Universitá per stranieri di Siena

. Marie-Laure THIERRY, Archaeologist in charge of operations, INRAP Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Organisation team

. Bertrand DOUSTEYSSIER, Researcher, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), UCA

. Éric FAYET, Head of Communications and Audiovisual Platform, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), UCA

. Chrystel FONT, Administrative assistant, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), UCA

. Fabienne GELIN, Head of Vichy’s heritage collection

. Valérie JAMROZIK, Financial assistant, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), UCA

. Hélène SAINT-ANDRÉ, Territorial projects manager, UCA

. Frances VAN WYK DE VRIES, Translator, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550), UCA