6.Video - Occupations of the Mesolithic in the Second Iron Age - Ménil-Annelles (Ardennes)
The operations carried out in Ménil-Annelles at the places called «Nortillon» and «Boeuf» conducted in October 2019, by Eveha, come after the prescription of archaeological excavations by the DRAC Grand Est - Regional Archaeological Service - for the wind turbine development project carried out by SAS Ferme éolienne de Ménil-Annelles (Energieteam Group) and concern two rights-of-way of 3,500 and 3,800 m², respectively.
Presented by Emilie Morin (Eveha).
The commune is located on the northern edge of the chalky plain, between the valley of the Retour in the south and the Aisne in the north. Despite a low density of occupation of the territory, the archaeological context is well documented, notably by numerous aerial surveys carried out at the end of XXe s. noting the recurrent presence of protohistoric enclosures and domestic occupations in the immediate vicinity of the excavation.
The occupation in the Mesolithic
A first occupation during the Mesolithic period is attested through five deep cylindrical pits discovered on the two rights-of-way.
A first occupation in the Iron Age: the site of «Boeuf»
The search conducted on the right-of-way of «Boeuf» has identified a domestic occupation dating from the Hallstatt D/ La Tène A transition. In particular, a building on twelve poles attributed to the transition between the first and second ages of the Iron is recorded nearby, and the spectrum of a potentially prior second.
The necropolis of the Iron Age
Concentrated on the northern third of the «Nortillon» right-of-way, a necropolis dating from the Second Iron Age, already identified by aerial prospecting, revolves around two quadrangular enclosures.
A total of 18 graves attributed to La Tène B/C are discovered on the site. The juxtapositions of the structures, the study of the buried population and the furniture accompanying the deceased make it possible to define several states of the necropolis and to observe the management of the space set up. The recurrence of the adornments worn by the deceased and the absence of weapons within the graves studied underline the prosperity of a population evolving in a peaceful climate.
Videos available in the same collection: https://www.culture.gouv.fr/en/Regions/DRAC-Grand-Est/services/patrimonies-architecture/patrimoines/Archeologie/valo/Videos-de-la-journee-de-l-archeologie-en-Champagne-Ardenne-2023
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