Abstract
The establishment of la Lesse at Sauvian (Hérault) was excavated during the winter 2008 2009 within a preventive archaeological operation. The first settlement comprised a small-sized farm dating back to the early Augustan period, including buildings arranged around a central courtyard. This farm was extended around the change of era and furnished with comfort. In the east wing of the villa a bath area and a kitchen are build facing a upper storied apartment bordered by a gallery area. The room interpreted as a kitchen is equipped with a recessed oven, possibly the remains of a fireplace. In the surface circular imprints seem to indicate the location of cooking pots. The excavation of this room yielded a wide range of finds. Numerous pottery sherds were uncovered and also a peculiar concentration of shells. However these elements alone are hardly suggestive of a culinary space.