Le Figaro Bordeaux
To discover
Follow all the news of the city of Bordeaux
Archaeological excavations are an opportunity to remember that Bordeaux, formerly known as Burdigala, is a city founded more than two thousand years ago.
A past that leaves traces.
At the start of the year, 35 sarcophagi and five burials in the ground have so far been discovered by teams from the center for preventive archeology in the metropolis of Bordeaux.
These sarcophagi of more than a millennium are being taken out of the ground in the city center, under the astonished gaze of passers-by.
A discovery resulting from the excavations currently taking place around the Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, during works for the future "
bus express
", a high-level service bus that will link Bordeaux to Saint-Aubin-de- Médoc by 2024.
Read alsoBordeaux: the tram runs for the first time to the airport
The existence of a Christian necropolis around the Saint-Seurin basilica had already been highlighted by archaeologists during investigations at the foot of the building, from the 1960s. It already contained "
several sarcophagi
" dating back for some in the 4th century of our era, specifies Camille Vanhove, the archaeologist responsible for the site.
But the recent discovery of these graves proves that the necropolis extended much further than what the researchers imagined.
"
In terms of distance, it's quite rare to have such a large extension
," explains Camille Vanhove.
Other excavations planned nearby
Among the bones, men and women but also some young children.
With the exception of old cobblestones, few clues have so far been found to allow us to learn more about their life back then.
"
A more in-depth study of the skeletons will take place post-excavation
", specifies Camille Vanhove, with in particular "
a sanitary inventory which will give indications on their living conditions
".
These archaeological remains would date back to between the 6th and 8th centuries, “
sarcophagi being something fairly generalized
” at that time.
The people buried would therefore have been during the High Middle Ages, but the precise dating of the bones has not yet been carried out.
In addition, some coffins contain up to five remains, which would probably have been “
reburied successively
”, presumes the archaeologist.
For the moment, his teams have found a total of "
about sixty individuals
", but the entire area concerned by the work has not yet been fully excavated.
Read alsoMarseille, Arles, Paris… The war against archaeological looting is declared
The necropolis may therefore not have revealed all its surprises.
If the archaeologists can only “
excavate the levels subject to the project background rating
”, other excavations are planned on another part of the roadway, and should last at least until May.
“
Sarcophagi are already appearing
”, specifies the site manager.
As for knowing what the State will do with these archaeological finds, when the bones are returned to it after analysis by the researchers, it is still too early to say.
Curious passers-by take pictures of the excavation, Place des Martyrs de la Résistance.
DR / CAP Bordeaux Metropolis