“We dive into the heart of everyday life in Laval”: the excavations of the Place du 11-Novembre reveal their first secrets

If the excavations are completed for almost a year, Place du 11-Novemberin Laval, the unearthed treasures have not finished talking. More than 70,000 fragments are currently being studied by a team of archaeologists. A little less than a third have already been listed. A meticulous work that takes time. There are, for example, pieces of ceramics from the 17th century, very well-preserved shoes, or even dishes from the second half of the 19th century.

Dozens of gray boxes with large orange labels are stacked along the walls. The archaeologist, Pauline Péteur, knows what is in each of them. For example, a series of shoes from the 14th to 19th centuriesstill in good condition. They have been “preserved in moist sediments”she explains. To keep them in this state, a rigorous protocol had to be followed. “Depending on whether you have a pointed toe, a square toe, studs under the sole or no studs, you know what period you are in.”she explains.

The same goes for the hundreds of pieces of ceramics spread out on large tables in the middle of the room. “We dive into the heart of the daily life of Laval residents”exclaims Pauline Peter. “We know what they eat, they use chamber pots, they use elements to heat themselves, we know what brands of soap cream they will use, what perfumes they have bought”she lists. They were recovered from a place that was supposed to be used as a dump in the second half of the 19th century. “It’s like me opening your bathroom cabinet and looking in!”

Cross-referenced data with soil studies

The data collected using ceramics will then be cross-referenced with stratigraphy, i.e. the study of the different layers of soil. “For example, in the oldest layers, do we have coins and ceramics from the 14th century? Is that consistent?” asks the head of the excavations, Hugo Meunier. “It is extremely important to recontextualize all the discoveries of furniture and objects that were made during these excavations.”the archaeologist emphasizes.

Thanks to photos taken from different points of view, the team was able to reconstruct the excavated sites in 3D on software. This makes it possible to visualize the exhumed sites, such as the washhouse and the Devil’s Tower.

After having listed everything, researchers will then have to list everything in large registers. They will then be able to consider a restitution for the general public, such as an exhibition, but this should not take place before 2027.