55 102 A Most oppida (fortified Celtic towns) in western Europe were defended by a 'murus gallicus' ('Gallic wall') type of timber-laced wall. This was constructed of heavy wooden beams laid in layers at right angles and nailed together, infilled with stone and earth and covered by an earthen bank. The external stone facing wall was surmounted by a timber palisade.
# Murus Gallicus
5 103 B A single main gateway led into the interior: this was defended by pincer-like outworks.
# Gateway
108 102 C Small rectangular timber houses with stone foundations line the main street near the gateway: the area behind these was riddled with pits. This was the main industrial zone, where artisans both lived and worked. Iron and bronze tools and weapons were manufactured as well as glass and metal jewellery.
# Industrial Area
71 102 D In the centre of the oppidum (fortified town) were many large stone and timber courtyard houses. These date from the later period of occupation here and demonstrate the influence of Roman architecture.
# Aristocratic Housing
80 103 E In the corner furthest from the gateway was a large square enclosure identified as a shrine, with votive deposits.
# Shrine
6 101 X Although the forum buildings belong to the period after the Roman conquest of Gaul, Bibracte had been the meeting place of tribal magistrates and elected leaders long before Caesar's time.
# Forum
11 0 5 2
# IW Celtic Coinage
32 101 X Bibracte's ideal defensive position on a hilltop was enhanced by the building of a wall 3 miles (5 km) in circumference, of 'murus gallicus' type, enclosing an area of 320 acres (135 ha).
# Defensive wall
-1 101 Z Bibracte (modern Mont Beuvray) was the chief administrative oppidum (fortified Celtic town) of the Aedui, a tribe friendly towards the Romans. Caesar had his winter quarters here during his conquest of Gaul.
