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DEMIANS D'ARCHIMBAUD Gabrielle
L'oppidum de Saint-Blaise du Ve au VIIe s. (Bouches-du-Rhône)
This volume presents important results not Only for archaeology in Provence but also increases our knowledge of the Mediterranean world al the very begining of the Middle Ages. The recent excavations of Saint-Blaise oppidum, near tbe Rhône delta, have brought to light the different stages of the reoccupation, from the 5th to the 7th century, of this protohistoric site. The ceramic assemblage testifies the importance of trade : red slip wares, amphorae, grey coarse wares from North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean and Liguria, regional slip wares (DS.P.), etc. The discovery of glass-ware with christian motifs and of vitrified crucibles indicates the existence of glass-working; stone, bone and metal objects, the coins, the fauna, especially the abundant remains of shellfish consumed, enrich the image of the life on this oppidum, one of the most important in Provence during this period of crisis and of change.
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
G. DÉMIANS D’ARCHIMBAUD
Half-way between Marseille and Arles and near the Rhône delta, this oppidum is situated on a natural promontory between two lakes and at a short distance from the sea. This privilaged geographical position was from the 7th century BC a commercial centre associated with salt production. During the Hellenistic period impressive defences were built, the site only being abandoned during the following period of romanisation. But reoccupation was soon to occur: the defences were heightened, churches constructed and the "town" inhabited. This reoccupation __ was only observed in passing by earlier excavators, they being more interested by the older remains. ln consequence it was considered useful to study an unexcavated area in the north western part of the oppidum. Six seasons of excavation, from 1980 to 1985, enabled the stratigraphic sequences dating from the 5th century to the beginning of the 7th century AD to be studied. Correspondingly a considerable quantity of artefacts were brought to light.
Part 1 - The 1980-1985 excavations and their interpretation
G. DÉMIANS D’ARCHIMBAUD
The areas excavated were situated on either side of a main street. Two excavation trenches (IB and II) were opened close to a rampart constructed during the 13th century to delimit a small medieval castrum situated at the northern most point of the oppidum. Two others (II and IV) were situated at the southern extremity to verity the continuity of stratification. Eight settlement phases of reorganisation on the site or crisis periods have been identified. The first corresponds to the levelling of protohistoric remains cleared during the period of reoccupation: it was within this construction phase that the new organisation of the buildings of the second quarter of the 5th century (phase II) was carried out.
The scarcity of undisturbed remains suggests however that this area was marginalised in contrast to the "lower town" which was more densely occupied. At the end of the 5th century and at the beginning of the 6th century (phase III), a reorganisation of the area previously caracterised by metal working to that of a building with a central courtyard occurred. Phases IV, V and VI correspond to a period of activity during the second third of the 6th century: the construction of buildings, the increase of floors and hearths, the excavation of pits (clay extraction ?) later transformed into middens. This was followed at about 560- 570 AD by a brutal destruction which was observed in several excavation trenches. Temporary resettlement during the last years of the 6th century (phase VII) are a prelude to the final abandonment of the site which occurred during the first third of the 7th century (phase VIII).
Part 2 - Coins and ceramic
1. The coins
C. BRENOT
The 87 coins studied comprise an assemblage spread over the whole period of occupation - the 3 latest coins (a melgorian obola, a Charles VIII "demi-gros", a coin of 1808) are isolated from the assemblage. The coin assemblage can be divided into three groups: 9 coins struck in Marseille during the 2nd to 1st centuries BC, 72 coins of the roman period, 3 silver coins of the 6th century (Justin lst or Justinien lst, Childebert, Gontran). Besides the presence of 4th century coins, the abundance of moulded examples with or without the type being recognisable is notable. This poses the question of the survival of official coinage being confronted by coinage of necessity which carries on up to the middle of the 6th century when coins of the types already mentioned appear.
2. The ceramic
2.1. Introduction
Y. ET J. RIGOIR, L. VALLAURI
The mass of the sherds (85 802) has permitted a global approach and a synthesis of the material. The sorting of categories, sherd counts, complete vessels and graphic representations are at the base of this study. 17 categories were identified, combining regional productions, importations from Italy, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean but also the residual protohistoric material. Out of the total studied, three quarters belong to the two later phases, amphorae dominate (50 %) followed by local grey coarse pottery (15.7 %), French grey slip ware OS.P. (4.6 %), African red slip ware (claire D- 3.4 %)and imported coarse ware (2 %). Traces of French red slip ware (claire B and luisantes) have been found. The North African red slip wares are abundent. This evidence is amplified by the inclusion of complete vessels where, out of the 1 403 forms identified from 22 210 sherds, one obtains 449 vessels in SCO, 401 in CCG, 376 OS.P., 165 in imported grey coarse vases (fragmentation differences according to category: 100 sherds representing 15 forms of SCO, 13 of OS.P. and only 3 of CCG).
2.2. Imported fine-wares
M.-T. CAVAILLÈS-LLOPIS, L. VALLAURY
The majority of red slip wares and lamps originate from Tunisian workshops while the minority come from the Eastern Mediterranean (late Roman ware, Hayes 3). All the late forms of the assemblage are represented here, the reverse of earlier excavations which had revealed an occupation at the beginning of the 5th century (Hayes 99, 91B, 98, 80-81B, 107, 87AB, 89 variants, 73 and 84). Forms Hayes 101, 105, 107, 109 and 91D indicate an occupation later than the 6th century. Plates are sparsely decorated and christian motifs are current, mostly stamped but also sliped especially on farm Hayes 87. Lamps can be attributed to the Hayes IIB group, squat in form and with rather blurred decoration.
2.3. The imported grey coarse wares
L. VALLAURY
This kind of ceramic, the majority oxidized during firing, can be distinguished typologically from the Languedoc productions, fired in the same way. Importations from North Africa (mortars, jugs and cooking vessels) continue to occur in the later levels (34 % of imported coarse wares). Eastern culinary vessels were present in non-negligable quantities (12 %). Recently exchange routes have been identified between the Ligurian coast and Southern Italy, which had not been indicated by any other category of fine-ware or amphorae.
2.4. The Amphorae
F. VILLEDIEU
The preliminary study of amphorae was possible due to an important amount of residual material being available. Examples of Dressel 23, Almagro 51 A-BC forms were present in the first three phases. Eastern amphorae dominated only in the phase II levels, but the situation is inversed later in favour of African productions (Keay VIIIb, Spatheia, Keay LVA, LVIB, LXII, LXIA). Examples of Riley LRA, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 forms represent the Eastern amphorae.
2.5. The local wares
Y. ET J. RIGOIR, L. VALLAURI, J.P. PELLETIER
Regionally, slip ware (DS.P.), reduced-fired in Provence, is well attested. Among the 69 forms known from the Provencal productions, 23 have been identified on the site. Forms 18a et 29b are the most numerous. A third of the assemblage has stamped and guilloche decoration. These stamped motifs belong in general to the group known as "marseillais", with one exception being perhaps Languedocien. A monogram of Christ and a cross "patée" are to be included among the christian motifs already known on type 0 red slip ware and glass vessels. The near absence of other Gaulish fine-ware productions is to be noted.
Grey coarse wares had been used in proportions similar to other categories. The nature of the fabrics and the forms complete and compete at the same time. Form A (ollae) with variating rims represents more than half of the material. Cups and goblets of form B more common than form A during the 5th century become later less popular (25 %). Mortars, lids, jugs, goblets and jars are more common in phase VIII. The study of forms indicate on one hand a certain evolution of these types during the 6th century and, on the other hand, a diversity of origin which places Saint- Blaise within the limits of the production centres of the Marseille region, the Rhône Valley and those of Languedoc. The distribution of common brow(J coarse wares with pisolith inclusions, caracteristic of Languedoc, is attested by a small number of ollae and goblets fired under oxidizing conditions. This confirms commercial contacts between the Languedoc and the lower Rhône regions.
2.6. Conclusion
G. DÉMIANS D’ARCHIMBAUD, J.P. PELLETIER, L. VALLAURI
These excavations complement and highlight the work carried out by H. Rolland (1951), author of the first typology of ceramic of this region. The density and the diversity of the commerce are a major caracteristic of the site. Amongst these trading exchanges, the furthest come from the Eastern Mediterranean. It is however from the African coast that massive arrivals of red slip ware, coarse wares and the majority of amphorae originate. Trading by the coast seems to be well attested by cooking wares from Liguria.
Part 3 - Other material and food sources
1. Stone, glassware and other artefacts
1.1. Olla stone vases
L. VALLAURY
Olla stone vases are always associated, in small quantities, with late Roman ceramic material. Of thirty-one fragments found, all carry traces of manufacture similar to those observed on Transalpine material and graffitis similar to Roman numerals. The two examples used for comparison have a capacity of two and three litres.
1.2. Glassware
D. FOY
The repertory of glassware is comparable to that discovered in Narbonne (La Lombarde) as far as the 5th century is concerned and to the Marseille (Bourse) collection dating from the 6th-7th centuries. The most interesting point is the presence of several goblet bases with christian motifs (end 5th-beginning 6th) with repeating designs. This type of goblet, known principally in the Namurois and the Ardennes, was perhaps also produced in the South. The existence of glass-working at Saint-Blaise is unquestionable at the very beginning of the 7th century ; eight fragments of crucibles have been found.
1.3. Upperstones
H. AMOURIC
Pieces formed out of volcanic stone Found on the site, originating from upper stones, are either Protohistoric or Roman in date.
1.4. Miscellaneous artefacts
G. DÉMIANS D’ARCHIMBAUD
A diverse number of artefacts mostly rare on the site comprise: two engraved molton glass pieces from different periods, objects of lead, bone, cervidae antlers, bronze and copper based metal, mother of pearl and engraved limestone.
2. Foodsources
2.1. The fauna
P. COLUMEAU
A partial study of fauna has led the identification of 18 animal species, less than 3 %of which are wild animals. The fauna of the 5th century levels indicates a provision in meat more varied than at the beginning of the 6th century. (Beef was the most commonly consumed.
2.2. Shellfish
F. BRIEN-POITEVIN
The majority shellfish remains (17 000) points to a regular consumption, particularly of oysters, pectens and cockles (88 % of the total number), caught in the lakes. These figures have enabled estimations to be made concerning collection techniques and transport.
General conclusion
G. DÉMIANS D’ARCHIMBAUD
The study of the stratification, the ceramic and the coins has enabled the identification of several phases of reoccupation or "crisis" which cover a discontinuous period, relatively brief (150 to 200 years).
In the excavated zone, the settlement appears to have been loose in this area of workshops. The activity in the second third of the 6th century was perhaps interupted about 570 AD by some catastrophic event. This crisis period marked a time of change. The decline, the rapid disappearence of all contemporary sites, apparently abandonned for a long period, form part of the questions concerning all of lower Provence during the Carolingian period.
