Upstream of a real estate project led by Bati-Nantes, in the heart of the city of Rezé (Loire-Atlantique), Inrap has just excavated on prescription from the Drac des Pays de la Loire, two rights-of-way, on both sides. ‘other from avenue de Lattre de Tassigny. The discoveries of many ancient, medieval and modern remains are part of a sector already explored in the 19th century.e century.
The plot excavated this summer is located on the edge of an old arm of the Loire that has now disappeared, a rocky hill and the alluvial plain. The oldest port structures, dating from the 1st century AD, refer to rare shoreline developments in Gaul Lyonnaise. These include terraced constructions close to those already recognized in the port area of Saint-Lupien. They appear in the form of walls and boxes of wooden beams and slabs of shale which constitute technical platforms for loading and unloading. The remarkable conservation of organic materials reveals an exceptional architecture. It is characterized by an assembly of oak beams up to 10 m in length and supporting posts and struts. Their meticulous dismantling made it possible to identify the multiple assembly techniques (tenon and mortise, half-wood, nails…), but also to observe the many traces left by the carpenters (traces of tools, marks, stamps…). This wooden architecture is reinforced by a blocking made of slabs of schist, as well as by the construction of a wall in which part of the beams are inserted. This system of caissons is completed behind by the construction of terraced walls delimiting a circulation space.
After multiple redevelopments, these constructions were gradually abandoned towards the IIIe century and make way for a large gently sloping slipway which testifies to the continuity of the frequentation of the banks. To the south of the platforms, an ancient building heated by a hypocaust system, a lime kiln and various excavations also bear witness to the urbanization and life of the district. This discovery will be followed by important studies and analyzes, in particular xylological (wood studies), in partnership with the CNRS (UMR 7324, “Laboratory of Archeology and Territories”), which will provide additional information on Rezé and on port developments in Gaul. Roman.
Speakers: Marie-Laure Hervé Monteil, inrap.
Photo credit: Inrap.
Tags: archeology, inrap-
