How about we uncover the secrets of Montereau-sur-le-Jard? This place has witnessed human activity since prehistoric times. Imagine settlements from the Bronze Age. Picture communities from the Iron Age.
Montereau-sur-le-Jard has a rich history. Archaeologists discovered vestiges of prehistoric homes. They also found traces of a significant medieval hamlet. This hamlet and a manor were active from the 6th century. They remained so until the Ancien Régime.
Before a development project began, archaeological research was required. The state ordered these investigations. The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research led them beginning in September 2018. The research covered about nine hectares. Initial findings give us a glimpse into the site’s past.
The earliest evidence of occupation dates back to prehistoric times. It continues through the Bronze and Iron Ages. Discoveries include remains of small, scattered dwellings. Granaries, silos, and pits were unearthed. A Gaulish community later settled on the plateau. This happened at the end of the Iron Age. A large enclosed settlement suggests agricultural and pastoral activities.
Research revealed the origins of the hamlet and former manor of Courceaux. This was in the Middle Ages. Excavations uncovered dozens of wooden houses. They also found cooking ovens and burial sites. These finds indicate dense occupation from the Merovingian, Carolingian, and Capetian periods. This spans from the 6th to the 12th centuries. The local importance of this fiefdom is evident. It lasted from the Middle Ages to the Ancien Régime. Monumental stone cellars and a grand architectural layout confirm this. These date from the 13th to 17th centuries.
One remarkable vestige is a large cellar. It was built in the early 13th century. High-quality masonry suggests a privileged status. The cellar underwent changes. It was likely raised during the Renaissance. It was abandoned and partially recovered in the late 17th or early 18th century. Its exact use remains undetermined. Archaeologists suspect it belonged to a farm. The Abbey of Saint-Jean-Baptiste du Jard owned this farm in Courceaux. This rural site is a rare example of continuity. It spans from the Merovingian era to the beginnings of the French Republic.
Montereau-sur-le-Jard highlights human settlement on the Brie plateau. This spans from prehistoric times to the present day. Archaeological digs continue to reveal more about its past.
Following the excavation, there will be an analysis phase. Specialists will study the structures and archaeological finds. They will describe, analyze, inventory, and interpret all discoveries. This information will be presented in a final report. Experts in ceramics, animal remains, metal production, and plant remains will contribute. Geomorphologists and micromorphologists will also be involved. The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research oversees these efforts. It studies archaeological heritage before land development. It conducts numerous archaeological evaluations and excavations each year. Its mission includes analyzing excavation data. It also promotes archaeological knowledge.