The underground of the Pink City is a vast playground for archaeologists. At the beginning of July, those of Toulouse Metropolis were able to look at a 400 m2 plot, located on Boulevard Carnot, outside the medieval ramparts of the old town, and where a building is to be built.
They expected to find part of the old cemetery of the Saint-Aubin chapel, abandoned at the end of the 17th century. At 70 cm from the ground, the trowels and brushes of the archaeologists brought to light five graves. “Going down lower, we came across an older level which dates from late antiquity, between the 4th and 7th centuries, with a necropolis of three burials. We knew that there were some further at the François-Verdier level, but not there. This enriches knowledge about this district of Toulouse that we know little about,” explains Pierre Pisani, director of heritage at Toulouse Métropole.
Objects found alongside the skeletons made it possible to estimate the period. But it is the Carbon 14 dating should refine the dating, before larger excavations on this site, if the State authorizes them.
A Gallic farm in Villeneuve-Tolosane
Archaeologists should also return to dig on the side of François-Verdier, as part of the construction work for the 3rd metro line. “We expect to find the whole defensive system of the city because we are next to the medieval and ancient gate of Saint-Etienne, the ditches which preceded the ramparts. And maybe a piece of ancient necropolis. We also found a small piece of necropolis at the level of the Saint-Aubin church, on a ventilation well of the metro”, continues Pierre Pisani.
But one of the sites where he is likely to make interesting discoveries is located in Villeneuve Tolosane and will begin in the days to come. He will bring a Gallic farm from the 2nd or 1st century BC up to date.