Underneath Place Jules-Verne and Place Villeneuve-Bargemon lies a secret. A secret whispered from the Bronze Age. This unassuming Traverse Bronzet holds a piece of Marseille’s ancient past. Right here beneath our feet are the remnants of a Bronze Age settlement.
Traverse Bronzet itself isn’t a grand monument. It’s a quiet street a narrow passage. But its very existence hints at the layers of history buried in Marseille. Imagine the people who lived here thousands of years ago. They left behind evidence of their lives. Their presence is subtly marked by a shell midden. This midden mostly consists of oysters. It dates back to a period between 1400 and 1200 BC.
The discovery of this shell midden was a significant archeological find. It confirms that this area near Traverse Bronzet was once inhabited. It wasn’t just a random collection of shells. These were the leftovers from meals. The discarded remnants of a community. They tell a story of daily life during the Bronze Age. A story of people who fished in the Mediterranean Sea. They ate oysters and built homes nearby.
Think of the smells the sounds the sights. The salty air carried the scent of the sea. The rhythmic crash of waves against the shore punctuated the days. Homes were likely simple structures. Perhaps made of mud brick or wood. They would have been clustered around the area now known as Traverse Bronzet.
Today we walk above this ancient settlement. We are separated by centuries of history. Yet by standing on Traverse Bronzet we connect with the people who came before us. Their presence under the street provides an intimate link to Marseille’s remote past. It’s a reminder that the city we see today is built upon layers of time. Each layer holds its own unique story. Each layer is integral to understanding Marseille’s character. The Traverse Bronzet whispers this story to those who listen closely.