Archaeologists continue to search the entrails of Bridiers. Under the feet of the inhabitants of this district of La Souterraine (Creuse) are the remains of a Roman city from the beginning of our era. For the third consecutive year, an excavation site is carried out in a field, about one kilometer from the famous medieval tower of Bridiers. Archaeologists focus on one neighborhood located east of the ancient city. With this new campaign, they hope to learn more about the daily life of our ancestors.
The campaign promises to be very rewarding
Over the years, archaeologists have unearthed the foundations of several buildings. The masonry walls are now clearly visible. Streets also appear, as well as two wells.
– Camille Andre
On the Bridiers site, many ceramics were also discovered. This year again, the team uncovered some.
Florian Baret, lecturer in Roman archeology at the University of Tours, supervises this campaign of excavations. According to him, these ancient pottery bring lots of information : ” It is thanks to the furniture that we can have a dating of the occupation of the spaces“, he explains. The objects discovered during the excavations can also inform about the function of buildings : “If we have culinary ceramics, storage ceramics, tools, that allows us to assign a function to each space”.
– Camille Andre
In 2021, the discovery of small movable elements had also made it possible to establish the function of certain buildings: dwellingsa small forge, and a funerary monument notably.
A unique exhibition in the city center
For the moment the excavation site is not open to the public. However, the people of Creuse can discover the treasures discovered during previous campaigns, thanks to a unpublished exhibition.
– Camille Andre
The museums that hold the remains of Bridiers have indeed agreed to lend for the two summer months. Ceramics, coins, sculptures and other weapons are to be discovered in the Micro-Folie of La Souterraine. The exhibition traces 2000 years of Bridiers history. The ancient period and the medieval period are particularly represented.
This Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m.Florian Baret, the archaeologist in charge of the excavations will propose a guided tour of the exhibition and an exchange with the public.
The excavation site as for him will visit August 5-8at the time of the Bridiers fresco.