Ruins of 800-year-old settlement unearthed in France. See the unprecedented discovery

Moira Ritter
·2 min read
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During the 11th and 12th centuries, a bustling medieval settlement in France operated dozens of silos and an oven connected to a working pit.

Now — about 800 years later — archaeologists have unearthed rare ruins left behind by the ancient settlement, according to a March 11 news release from Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (INRAP).

The size and preservation of the ruins makes them an unprecedented discovery, according to archaeologists. Photo by Alais Tayac from INRAP
The size and preservation of the ruins makes them an unprecedented discovery, according to archaeologists. Photo by Alais Tayac from INRAP

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Experts were exploring the outskirts of the village of Cayrac when they made the unprecedented discovery: five buildings, an oven and 29 silos.

The main two buildings were built using posts, officials said. The first had at least 23 posts and measured about 46 feet by about 13 feet. The second building had at least 30 posts and measured about 26 feet by about 12 feet.

Archaeologists found hearths and silos in the ruins of each of the structures. There were also a number of silos located in the area between the two buildings. The silos could hold between about 100 and 950 gallons.

A third structure, measuring about 25 feet by 6 feet was excavated at the site. Experts believe the structure was a semi-buried cellar, possibly built into the ground.

The semi-buried cellar was likely dug directly into the ground, experts said. Photo by Pascal Lotti from INRAP
The semi-buried cellar was likely dug directly into the ground, experts said. Photo by Pascal Lotti from INRAP

Another two buildings with unknown sizes were discovered. One was found to contain two hearths and silos.

Officials said it is rare to find structures of this size and in this state of conservation in the area.

An oven connected to a pit was also unearthed, archaeologists said. The oven’s heating chamber measured about 8 feet by 7 feet, while the pit measured about 22 feet long, 18 feet wide and nearly 6 feet deep.

The oven was connected to a pit, archaeologists said. Photo by Alais Tayac from INRAP
The oven was connected to a pit, archaeologists said. Photo by Alais Tayac from INRAP

The oven and pit structure was surrounded by three shallow ditches.

A collection of older artifacts and ruins were also found at the site, according to officials.

Archaeologists found two large shallow pits and a well that were likely connected to a more ancient settlement that had its center further south.

The well was lined with limestone bricks, experts said. Photo by Pascal Lotti from INRAP
The well was lined with limestone bricks, experts said. Photo by Pascal Lotti from INRAP

The well was lined with limestone bricks, experts said. The pits held troves of ceramics dating to the turn of the first and second centuries.

Cayrac is in southern France, about a 380-mile drive south of Paris.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from INRAP.

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