From this Saturday and until January 7, 2024, the Chronographe de Rezé offers a new exhibition retracing the last ten years of archaeological excavations carried out in the Nantes metropolis. Through thirteen operations, “It happened near you” highlights the work of archaeologists, the extent of their discoveries, and how the exploration of the subsoil makes it possible to increase knowledge of the territory. 20 minutes followed the visit with Cécile de Colasson, director of the Chronograph.
How to summarize the last ten years of archaeological excavations carried out in Nantes?
Archeology has taken off very strongly since 2010, with many results coming out in mainland France, but in a “kaleidoscope” format. Various types of research have been carried out: on small or large surfaces, within the framework of programmed excavations [présentant un intérêt scientifique] or preventive [avant des travaux d’aménagement]… Thirteen operations are presented in this exhibition, but in reality there were 150 just as a preventive measure. These last ten years have given rise to great discoveries, from prehistory to today, but there are still many questions.
What are the most important findings for you?
The Gallic farms in Doulon-Gohards and Carquefou, both found during the construction of large ZACs, are perhaps the most promising. We were able to obtain a fairly complete reading of proposals for architecture, species cultivated, type of breeding or places with granaries, separation structures, a probable threshing floor… We found remains of mud also, the walls of the houses probably painted, which remained intact. There were also objects: a small strainer, to drain cheese or to ferment wine, an Italic amphora neck, which means that we traded with Italy. There are also Gallic buckets 2,300 years old on display. This is quite rare because the wood decomposes, normally.
Can you tell us about some medieval and modern remains that have come to light in the last ten years?
Thanks to the excavation of the Mellinet barracks, a perfect photograph of the occupation of a medieval manor has been obtained. We sometimes find more anecdotal things like these slate plates which were located in the latrines, during the excavations of medieval fortifications place Fleuriot de Langle, under Uniqlo. There are still plenty of questions about these objects that were to serve as notebooks for construction professionals. The remains of the excavation of Place Félix-Fournier have revealed much more recent habitats with furniture from the 18th or 19th century: a toothbrush, pots, inkwells… which bear witness to a collective lambda habitat but of which very little remains today.
Many graves were also discovered. Why are they important?
It is the number 1 material of archaeologists because they bring us a host of elements on the living. Discovering skeletons and analyzing them gives us major information on what these populations were, their age, their state of health, their funeral rites. All of this is interesting, especially since in Nantes we were only a little advanced on the subject. Until several parish cemeteries emerged, such as that of Saint-Hermeland in Saint-Herblain, with a large set of extremely well-preserved burials dating from medieval and modern times. We also have a large set of rosaries and jewelry that will deliver information to us.
What are archaeologists still trying to understand?
Archeology is crossed by several major issues: how we invest a territory, how we occupy it, then how we manage our environment. Then, when Gaul becomes Roman, there is the phenomenon of urbanization which interests us, to understand how cities are created. Here, we know three: Rezé, Nantes and Mauves-sur-Loire. One of the big questions about the metropolis is also the development of the Loire, even if in Rezé we are starting to know the ancient port very well. The movement of rivers, the way in which men have appropriated them, are things that emerge. For example, we now know that the islands that formed the island of Nantes existed from ancient times. The probable crossing is one of the great questions to be clarified.