As per the most common definition, an oppidum (stemming from the Latin word) means a high place (on top of a hill) or a fortified site.

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History shows that populations have always waged war either to defend their own territory or to gain additional lands. This is why strong walls were built around housings to protect their inhabitants and harvests: the so-called oppida.

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There are three types of oppida : the one called « éperon barré » is a fortified building on top of a hill with  two vertical ramparts and a third one meant to protect the whole structure.

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The so called englugi, Ampus Oppidum which dates back to the celto ligure period (600 before Christ and 100 after Christ), emerges as one of the most significant examples of oppida in the region.