Hi guys, I'm new here so I probably should have introduced myself first, however, I am very interested in a particular location in France, Citeaux near Dijon, which as many of you will know was the site of the first abbey built by the Cistercian order of monks in 1098.

The Cistercians took their name from the latin name of Citeaux, which is or was a village called 'Cistercium'. I presume that this name dates from Roman times and it's this aspect which interests me.

I am not an archaeologist, but I do have a passionate interest in history and ancient history in particular. My impression of Roman place-names is that they were often given to reflect something or someone that was already at that location when the Romans settled there, for example Durnovaria (Dorchester) I presume having something to do with the Durotriges tribe that lived in Dorset and South Somerset prior to the Roman occupation. Another example is Aquae Sulis, with Sulis being the name of the pre-Roman goddess of the hot springs of Bath, Sulis. Another example would be Lugdunum, after the Celtic god Lug or Lugh and another example Trinovantium reflecting the name of the Trinovantes tribe.

What then does 'Cistercium' mean? Was there a particular tribe in that area with a name containing the word 'cist' or similar?

The only idea I have at the moment is along the lines of the word 'cist' referring to a particular type of Celtic, or earlier, burial, in which a 'cist' is a stone lined grave or stone box or coffin in which the body or a funerary urn containing ashes would be placed.

Does this mean then that Cistercium was on the site of a pre-Roman burial chamber or other such structure/site?

Any ideas on this or who would know more would be most appreciated. My email is robinwhitlock66@hotmail.com for anyone who wants to respond more directly.

Cheers