In Rezé, 150 medieval burials and an ancient artery discovered

The town of Rezé developed along an old arm of the Loire, which gradually silted up and then filled in. Portions of its ancient port, notably on the Saint-Lupien site, have been revealing their secrets for several years. But, this time, it was 400 meters away, on the alluvial plain, that beautiful discoveries appeared.

A 600 m² site, facing the town hall

Since October, ten archaeologists from Inrap

have set their sights on a 600 m² site, opposite the town hall. A real estate project, aimed at redeveloping the town center, led to this preventive excavation site. The stripping with a mechanical shovel had barely been completed, and it did not take long for the most recent remains to appear. Archaeologists have uncovered a medieval cemetery, which covers, more or less, the entire plot. One hundred and fifty graves have already been located.

The heads of the deceased placed in the West

The deceased all have their heads turned towards the West. Their carbon 14 dating is in progress. (Inrap)

Huge blocks of shale

Under these medieval levels, ancient remains are already revealed in certain places. “We mainly have portions of the main street of Rezé from Roman times. It is a very well constructed artery, with enormous blocks of schist placed vertically, one against the other, on which small pebbles have been placed to form a rolling surface for the carts. Its construction method is quite impressive. It’s really beautiful work. The Romans were, in any case, great builders,” explains Marie-Laure Hervé-Monteil.

“Not immune to surprises”

The project will be completed in March 2025. “This is the first time that we have worked on such a surface in Rezé. It is important for the knowledge of one’s past. It was an important port in ancient times. The diagram was as follows: the Loire, the quays which extend over several kilometers, the warehouses or certain buildings, and this street. Traces of ruts on its surface show that it has been very busy,” continues Marie-Laure Hervé-Monteil. She believes “that we are not immune to surprises: the cemetery, we did not think that it would be so densely occupied. We had a feeling about the street. A priori, it is bordered by a covered gallery.”