Will the ancient quarry from which the first stones that built Marseille came out return underground? At least this is what the State services recommend, which note the “great fragility of the site”, currently protected by a simple fabric. Unearthed in 2017 by preventive archeology (INRAP), on the occasion of the construction of a building in the Saint-Victor district (7th arrondissement), the stone quarry of the rope factory had aroused a strong mobilization for its safeguard. A fight that the defenders of the career thought won when the Minister of Culture at the time, Françoise Nissen, decided to classify, at least in part, the site as a historic monument.
“The classification as a historical monument was aimed at making the site visible”
The announcement to favor the option of landfill has revived this fight, in which heavyweights from the new municipality had taken part. However, other options are on the table, as Jean-Marc Coppola, cultural assistant recalls. “On November 12, 2020, we were questioned by the State on three hypotheses. The presentation of the remains under a built roof, for a budget of two million euros. An intermediate solution, with archaeological windows under glazing, which would cost 760,000 euros. And the landfill which would also cost 500,000 euros anyway. The classification as a historical monument taken by Françoise Nissen aimed to make the site visible, and we remain on this idea ”.
In this story, the final word will go to the State, owner of the remains, as required by law for all archaeological sites and artefacts. But with the idea of weighing as much as possible on this one. “In any case, this decision will require a discussion with the city, because we will have to manage the consequences”, assures the elected official.
“That it does not end with a simple plaque”
The members of the collective Let it go, mobilized in 2017, also resumed the fight. On Wednesday, they organized a rally which brought together about a hundred people.
“The Marseillais must be able to see these remains. We will go all the way, ”says Guy Coja, member of the collective and vice-president of the Saint Victor neighborhood interest committee. “And not that it does not end with a simple plaque. Most of the remains of Marseille are already buried, even though it is the oldest city in France ”, regrets Guy Coja.