The 4th International Congress on Ancient Thermalism ‘The present and future of Roman healing spas: Investigation, promotion and protection of thermal heritage’, organised by the Maison des Sciences Humaines de Clermont-Ferrand (Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS), the Service régional de l'archéologie - DRAC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, will be held in Vichy from 26 to 28 May.

Registrations are now closed.

Presentation

Following on from previous editions, the first of which was held in Kiel in 2020, followed by Bern in 2022 and Madrid in 2023, this scientific congress devoted to archaeology will focus on curative thermalism in antiquity. It aims to promote new research on this subject and to present an update on current knowledge of the thermal baths throughout the Roman Empire, focusing on bathing establishments using medicinal mineral waters.

At the 2025 congress, discussions will focus specifically on ‘The present and future of Roman healing spas: Investigation, promotion and protection of thermal heritage’. The aim is to bring together specialists in ancient curative thermalism around a new theme that looks at the future of ancient remains and how they have been integrated into contemporary thermal buildings. What remains were discovered in the 19th century? How can they be studied and interpreted in the 21st century? How can this thermal heritage be protected and enhanced?

After the spa industry had developed and flourished in Roman times, a revival took place in the 19th century, encouraging the creation of spa towns. Archaeology was then added to medical research and contributed to the renown of these resorts, which all claimed to be undeniably ancient, to the point of amplifying or even distorting the archaeological reality. Abundant documentation from the 19th and 20th centuries shows that a large number of archaeological remains were unearthed during this period, but most of them have since been heavily altered or destroyed, making the study of spa sites extremely complex. This question can, however, be addressed by re-examining the ancient data from a new angle and using innovative tools that allow us to take a critical look at these structures and materials. The first two sessions of the congress, entitled respectively ‘‘A new look at old data and interpretations in the light of recent research’ and ‘New tools, new approaches’, will be devoted to the results of studies on ancient curative baths.

The conservation and future of these ancient remains will then be addressed in a third session entitled ‘Preserving, restoring and promoting thermal heritage: challenges and strategies’. Whether located today in active thermal establishments or in private collections, the remains of ancient curative thermalism require particular attention and raise specific questions to which archaeology can provide responses: How can this heritage be preserved and protected in the 21st century? What strategies should be adopted to enhance it?

Finally, in a special session, those involved in spa tourism will have the floor to discuss the legacy of antiquity in today's spa industry through heritage mediation.

Programme

The detailed program is available in the ‘Program’ tab.

As part of the congress, a conference for the general public will be given in French by Silvia González Soutelo and Lise Augustin Rolland on the theme “Le thermalisme antique, dans le monde romain et à Vichy”, on Monday May 26, 2025 at 6 pm at the Pôle universitaire de Vichy. Free admission.

Congress venue

Unless otherwise stated (for the excursions), the conference will be held in the Georges Frélastre amphitheatre at the Pôle universitaire de Vichy - 1 avenue des Célestins 03200 VICHY.

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)

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

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

. Fabienne GELIN, Head of Vichy’s heritage collection

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

. Éléa RAMBERT, Intern, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550)

. Hélène SAINT-ANDRÉ, Territorial projects manager, UCA

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

. Alex VAUTHIER, Archaeologist and geophysicist, MSH de Clermont-Ferrand (UAR 3550)