Archaeological remains have been discovered in the commune of
Bouriège
in the Aude department.
The Terre de Passage association and INRAP worked together to set up excavations on an archaeological site in the middle of the vineyards. Lécopot lent them a dry toilet and we took an interest in their actions.
A Gaulish archaeological site
These excavations are known as “rescue excavations”. They last 4 weeks so that the plot can be released as quickly as possible, allowing the winegrower to replant his vines. Here, the site benefited from the kindness of the farmer who kindly left his plot of land for the duration of the excavation.
The site, already excavated in the 70s and 90s, dates from the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Despite previous excavations, it has offered archaeologists many new discoveries.
Over the years, work in the fields has brought archaeological debris to the surface, alerting us to the existence of an archaeological site. This site has uncovered the remains of pottery and a Gallic pottery workshop located in a craftsman’s quarter.
Terre de Passage, a local association
The excavation site is the result of a partnership between
INRAP
and the
association Terre de Passage
.
This association, founded in 2016, aims to promote and safeguard the natural and cultural heritage of the Limoux area, and more specifically the Corneilla Valley (grouping the villages of Bourriège, Bourigeole, Roquetaillade and Fest-et-Saint-André).
Terre de Passage wants to raise public awareness of its local heritage, so that its history and the special features that make it so charming are not forgotten.
Lecopot toilets for the archaeological site
When the site was being set up, Terre de Passage contacted Lécopot to request the loan of a dry toilet. Of course, local entities have to stick together, so we gladly accepted!
The outhouse installed is the
Ventarél model in spruce
. It allows diggers to relieve themselves without having to go all the way back to their lodgings or crawl through the undergrowth.
(left to right) France Boyer, Julien Boyer, managers of Lécopot, Marie-Laure Portal-Cabanel of the Terre de Passage association
Many thanks to :
Marie-Laure Portal-Cabanel of the Terre de Passage association; Thomas Le Dreff, site archaeologist; Guilhem Sanchez of INRAP; for their welcome, explanations and trust.