Archaeologists uncover 'little Pompeii'

SAINTE-COLOMBE, France - A "little Pompeii" is how French archaeologists are describing an entire ancient Roman neighborhood uncovered on the outskirts of the southeastern city of Vienne, featuring remarkably preserved remains of luxury homes and public buildings.

"We're unbelievably lucky. This is undoubtedly the most exceptional excavation of a Roman site in 40 or 50 years," said Benjamin Clement, the archaeologist leading the dig on the banks of the Rhone river, about 30 kilometers south of Lyon.

The city of Vienne - famous for its Roman theater and temple - was an important hub on the route connecting northern Gaul with the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis in southern France.