the essential
This weekend the European Archeology Days are being organized. Several sites in the department are organizing activities and visits for the occasion, including the Escaladieu Abbey and the Castrum Mail de Lagarde, a fortified village dating from 800 BC, the first of its kind in the department.
Since yesterday and until Sunday, throughout France and Europe, historic places and monuments have been active to highlight the rich heritage and history of our society. As part of the 15th edition of the European Archeology Days, four sites in the Hautes-Pyrénées have prepared some visits and activities.
Among them, the emblematic ones like the Gargas Caves, the Escaladieu Abbey and the Fortified Castle of Lourdes, but also a new one, and not the least, the Castrum Mail de Lagarde in Cazaux-Debat.
The Castrum, a unique discovery in the sector
It was very recently – the excavations having been completed at the beginning of June – that the archaeologist Clément Venco, attached to the University of Toulouse II Jean-Jaurès, and his students unearthed the Castrum Mail of Lagarde, a small village whose last signs of activity date from around 800 BC.
The small promontory known as Pla Dero Croua is located in a strategic position, it guards the entrance to the Louron valley and dominates the Arreau basin from the south-east. This is the first site of its kind discovered in the area. “It is installed at approximately 1000 m altitude, halfway between the river and the summer pasture area. It is proof that pastoral societies were already present at this time, in the Bronze Age,” says Julie Duponchel, speaker in charge of the guided tour of the Castrum.
Photo DR Thibaut de Rouvray
Today completely “buried” by vegetation, the excavations are the initiative of the municipality and a few scholars who had knowledge of this area with its particular typology. “Even before the excavations, you could see something like a terrace that didn’t look natural. The locals knew there was something up there, but we don’t know how far back it goes, it’s probably a oral tradition of an abandoned village in the mountain which has led to today and the desire to carry out excavations there. We found traces of buildings, pieces of ceramics… For the rest you will have to come and discover them. places and its history with the guided tour”, underlines Julie Duponchel.
Photo DR Thibaut de Rouvray
A “cultural hike” is organized this Sunday, June 16, leaving from the Chapelle des Neiges at 2 p.m., it will take at least 3 hours of walking. The visit is free and is intended for all audiences, without reservation.
Escaladieu Abbey
For these Archeology Days, the Abbey is offering new activities, in addition to the usual operations, visits and exhibitions. “In 2019, we carried out soil surveys before carrying out work. And these surveys allowed us to learn things about the past of the places. We planned brief and unusual visits to present these discoveries. See you Saturday and Sunday, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., without reservation.
The team has also prepared activities in the form of games, “Operation Archéo”, “Scarabya” and “Jurassic”, for all ages to do with the family and for which reservations are required. Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Gargas and Lourdes
The Gargas Caves and the Château de Lourdes are the two other sites registered for these European days. The latter offers guided tours and workshops for, with family or friends, to investigate, like building archaeologists, to discover the Castle. By reservation, free, Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
