Inrap specialists have just given their conclusions. They turn out to be amazing.
About sixty people connected on Tuesday evening to the videoconference held by Laurent Grimbert, archaeologist at the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), relating to the excavations carried out at Place Nationale upstream of the tile renovation project. A first diagnosis was carried out in 2018, the investigations continued from February to April 2021. This campaign made it possible to update part of the foundations of the Consular House, also called “Common House”, mentioned in 1231. This year , Inrap archaeologists have identified six modern caves.
Large butcher’s shop
The ceramic furniture, associated with numerous fragments of sheep’s horns, confirms the presence of a “great butcher’s shop”, cited in texts in the middle of the 16th century. It is a testament to the commercial activities in the heart of the city. Highlight of these excavations, the discovery of a well. Attested on a plan of 1650, it was filled in during the 18th century before being transformed into a fountain.
With a depth of 15.7 meters and a diameter of 1.60 m, it was completely emptied by a specialized team who sieved all the sediment to extract waterlogged objects in excellent condition. Thus were updated ceramics from the 17th century, bottles, folding knives, embroidery scissors, keys, spurs, leather soles from the 18th century, coins …
The depth of this well is equivalent to the height of the buildings surrounding the national square. These exceptional excavations enrich our knowledge of the history of the daily life of the Montalbanais.
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