A colossal project has opened in Brittany in recent months, spanning nearly two millennia of history since the Bronze Age. To the northwest of RennesRennestwo plots of 800 and 2,000 m2 have been excavated for several months by archaeologists from Inrap (National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research). Particularly ancient traces of occupation, predating Antiquity, have been detected by researchers. The latter unearthed a farandole of objects, some dating from Antiquity, others from the Middle Ages. Several of these artifacts have fascinating features, such as a gold ring set with onyx, whose gem porteporte an engraving.
A traffic crossroads in Antiquity
In the stratastrata deepest in the ZAC de la Touraudière, protohistoric objects make it possible to determine the presence of human activities on the site throughout the Bronze Age. Pieces of molds intended for metallurgy confirm the existence of local crafts. At the same time, swords were also unearthed by scientists, although no precise dating was indicated in the press release.
In Antiquity, the place became a relatively important axis of circulation, particularly between the IIe and the IVe century. Although there was no really significant concentration of population in this area of Brittany before Antiquity, the Gallo-Roman era nevertheless saw the emergence of the city of Condate, today’s Rennes.
After the conquest of the territorial space defined as Gaul by the Roman Empire, the site remained a frequent crossing point in this region. This is where an individual is said to have lost his gold ring, encrusted with a fragment of onyx. A figure is finely chiseled on the stone, representing Venus Victrix according to Inrap. In Roman mythology, it represents the divinity VenusVenus bringing victory. In the following centuries, in the High Middle Ages, agricultural or residential structures suggest that local populations had established a hamlet there. Scientists estimate that its development began during the 7th centurye century, without the plots being subsequently abandoned.
Centuries of transition since the Middle Ages
The artifacts of Touraudière bring together a set of exceptional characteristics for historianshistorians. In addition to millstones and ceramicsceramics ancient and medieval, archaeologists have got their hands on a real little treasure: around twelve Carolingian denarii, apparently struck with the effigy of the regents of this dynasty, have been discovered.
The Middle Ages hamlet was not always inhabited. The sector was subject to restructuring until the modern period, aimed at expanding or improving agricultural plots. Enough to allow experts to look into the subject to understand the transition phenomena between the various historical eras.
