THE AFFRIQUE CITY
An important economic center in the region, with housing, crafts and workshops.
This ancient fortified Celtic dwelling place dates back to 500 BC. It is a unique case of fortification for the time of its construction, as it is made of a mixture of lime, clay and stone that held its two enclosures together. The larger of the two was 600 m long, 50 m wide and 9 m high, surrounding an area of 14 ha. Recent excavations have been carried out and have enabled the beginning of the occupation to be dated to the 5th century BC. The town of Affrique included not only dwellings, but also craft activities, such as workshops for working with iron, wood, bronze, cloth, and ceramics, making the place an important economic centre of the region. The Moselle and Madon rivers were exploitable trade routes for the local aristocracy, particularly in the sale of salt and livestock farming in the surrounding plains. There are still traces of the ramparts and some objects visible at the town hall of Messein. This site is part of the Historical Monuments since 1998.
