Was the stone beneath your feet once the heart of a bustling ancient city? You are standing at the Carrière antique de la Corderie. It is an archaeological site that whispers tales of Marseille’s origins. This quarry once provided the very building blocks of Massalia. Massalia was the ancient Greek colony that would become Marseille.
The Carrière antique de la Corderie dates back to 600 BC. Imagine the scene over two and a half millennia ago. Greek colonists from Phocaea arrived on these shores. They needed materials to build their new home. This very site became a hive of activity. Workers extracted limestone to construct their city.
This limestone is special. The Greeks and Romans used Saint-Victor limestone for architecture. The Carrière antique de la Corderie became a vital resource. Its specific location remained a mystery until its rediscovery. The INRAP’s studies revealed the stone formed from a riverbed nearly 26000 years ago. Michel Bats calls this unique stone calcaire de la Corderie.
Fast forward to 2017. A real estate developer, Vinci, bought this land to build apartments. An archaeological dig was mandatory. The INRAP unearthed a sarcophagus workshop. They also found an ancient limestone quarry. This was the Carrière antique de la Corderie. Excavations revealed that quarrying had occurred here. It happened throughout the city’s history. The quarry is over six meters deep. Jean-Claude Bessac called it the oldest quarry in Gaul. He said it is one of the oldest in the Mediterranean.
Philippe Mellinand from INRAP remarks on its uniqueness. He says marble quarries usually get more attention. Comparable sites exist in Sicily and Greece. They include Selinunte, Syracuse, and Thasos.
Archaeologists believe the Carrière antique de la Corderie was a hub of activity. Blocks for monumental constructions were produced here. Think of column drums and large blocks. The site also served as a sarcophagus workshop. Traces show the whole process, from roughing out the stone to the final product. One finished sarcophagus, with flaws, remains. It never saw use.
During the 2nd century BC, the quarry saw a revival. A second phase of extraction began. Again, workers cut monumental blocks for construction. Some blocks were abandoned due to imperfections. A Roman graffito hints at Roman quarrying activity. It may have been a tally of stones.
The Carrière antique de la Corderie reveals much about Massalia’s construction. Stone tools such as picks, levers, and wedges have been found. The quarry’s discovery fills a gap in Marseille’s history. Limestone blocks found across the city now have a source. They were used in port, religious, and defensive structures.
The Carrière antique de la Corderie is now listed as a historical monument. The unearthing of the quarry sparked controversy. There were plans to build apartments over it. Petitions and media attention followed. Many archaeologists wanted the site preserved. They highlighted its scientific and historical value.
Today, the Carrière antique de la Corderie stands as a testament. It shows Marseille’s ancient roots and the battles fought to preserve its history. The site serves as a reminder. It connects us to the people who built this city. They shaped its destiny millennia ago.