dAf 88
KERÉBEL Hervé
Corseul (Côtes-d'Armor), un quartier de la ville antique
Under the directionof H. Kerébel, excavation on the site of Fanum Martis, present-day Corseul, has gradually revealed a vast trading and crafts centre within the archaeological protection area of Monterfil II. Uncovering a surface area of over 5000 m2 along the major axis of the former Coriosolati capital has enabled archaeologists to discern architectural and topographical changes which took place in this quarter from 15/10 BCE to the 4th century CE. The finds, which include a high proportion of Italian potters' marks and Lipari amphorae, attest to the significance of the town as a marketplace for items produced throughout the Mediterranean Basin. A metrological analysis of the remains, carried out by an archaeologist trained in architecture, has served as the basis for a reconstruction of elevations governed by the Tuscan order. Although there is still much work to be done in Corseul, the excavation carried out thus far at Monterfil II has shown how the urban layout and public and private domains were established during the reign of Augustus.
Abstract
Abstract
1. Introduction
Part of the present-day town of Corseul stands on the remains of Fanum Martis, capital of the civitas controlled by the Coriosolati tribe. Many areas of the Gallo-Roman town are now covered by fields and thus readily accessible to archaeologists. The site known as Monterfil ll is included in the archaeological protection area acquired in 1986 by the town of Corseul. In the same year, work was begun on the site as part of a programme of research excavations. Topographically, the Monterfil II quarter appears to be situated close to the town's public buildings, which are located on slightly higher ground.
2. The archaeological remains
Total excavation was carried out on the buildings fronting two city blocks, separated by a major east-west road. To the north of ,this street a large homogeneous edifice extending the entire length of the block appears to have been built as a single architectural project. It consists of a series of small quadrangular rooms, as well as some larger ones, perhaps designed for trade and crafts activity. The edifice, modified on-several occasions, retained its original shape and monumental aspect until it was finally abandoned. To the south of the street stand several buildings; some of these are contiguous, others separated by open areas. As on the north side of the street, there are quadrangular rooms which open on to porticoes lining the road. New buildings, set back from those fronting the street, are part of other- properties. In the southern block, remains are grouped together on plots whose boundaries are easily identifiable. Architectural changes to the various buildings excavated are presented with reference to chronological «horizons» established for the quarter.
3. Chronology of the site
Several finds assemblages, primarily pottery, were selected to determine the site's chronology. Pertinent elements from each set are set forth in detail, horizon by horizon; the complete assemblages will be published separately. In addition to providing relevant chronological markers for the Monterfil II quarter, this analysis, albeit limited, has resulted in a suggested typology for pottery found at Corseul from the end of the 1st century BCE to the middle of the third century CE. Four periods or horizons are postulated: horizon 1(15-10 BCE / 30-40 CE) ; horizon II (30 / 40 - end of the 1st century CE; horizon III (2nd century CE); horizon IV (end of 2nd century / 3rd century CE).
4. The Monterfil II quarter
A synthesis of excavation data enables the author to present a coherent history of the quarter's development. Moreover, despite the poor state of preservation of some buildings, certain data bring up new questions concerning Corseul, particularly with regard to the urban layout and even the architectural appearance of this part of the town. Analysis of the Monterfil II quarter is enriched by comparisons with similar sites elsewhere in the Roman Empire. A large edifice from Verulanium in island Britain closely resembles the building from the north block in Monterfil II : this building, constructed by veterans, would seem to have been used for craft and trade purposes. Avery similar edifice at Xanten in Germany has been identified as an inn. These two parallels corroborate the interpretation of Monterfil II as a trading area constructed around a large thoroughfare leading to the public buildings in Fanum Martis, Gallo-Roman Corseul. Other remains enable the author to take up the question of the quarter's destruction and abandon; the chronological phases of this period are set forth and supported with data from several finds assemblages.
5. Specialised finds studies
Excavation work has brought forth many and varied finds, with pottery predominating, as is often the case. Specialised studies of pottery finds concentrate on two clearly distinct types of finds encountered on the site. Firstly, the Monterfil II quarter has provided a considerable number of Italian potters' marks in relation to other sites excavated in Corseul : 72 individuals out of a total of 95 found. This significant number of Italian potters' marks, which sets Fanum Martis apart from other Amorican urban areas, is perhaps linked to the town's founding at an early date, going back as far as 15 / 10 BCE. Secondly, it appears that the pottery found on the Monterfil II site, and to a lesser extent in the rest of the town, is typified by a high proportion of Lipari amphorae. Furthermore, crafts activities connected to dying and tanning were most probably-being carried out in this quarter or indeed throughout the whole Gallo-Roman town. The numerous coins discovered on the site also seem to point to the commercial character of the quarter. These coins are presented as a complete corpus, inasmuch as they provide significant information concerning the specific character of this sector of the town. Finally, metal finds from Monterfil II are also presented separately due to the great variety of small objects linked to daily life.
6. Fanum Martis, capital of the Coriosoliti
A pause in archaeological research on the Gallo-Roman town of Corseul following the Monterfil II excavations has given researchers the opportunity to consolidate knowledge on Fanum Martis Comparing information obtained from this excavation with that from other sites has enabled the author to suggest new perspectives, particularly with reference to urbanisation, to re-examine changes in the town's layout on the basis of fresh data and to sketch out an overall chronology of the urban complex. For each period changes which have affected different sectors of the town are presented. Several hypotheses concerning the physical appearance of the late Roman town are set forth, including a proposed reconstruction of changes in the street plan after the area was abandoned, an event which some scholars place, an early as the end of the third century.
