Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
Before the start of work on the Seine-Nord Europe Canal (CSNE), preparatory operations are necessary: geotechnical and pyrotechnic investigations, network diversions, preventive archeology, etc. But then why carry out preventive archeology operations? What elements have been discovered to date in the Oise? We tell you everything.
Carried out before the Canal works, preventive archeology aims to understand and safeguard buried heritage.
The archaeologists first carry out a diagnosis of the ground, a phase during which they probe and observe the subsoil. If significant remains are identified, the State, via the Regional Archeology Service (SRA), then prescribes an excavation to study them. These two phases completed, the SRA declares a release of all archaeological constraints, which authorizes the start of work on the plots.
A first phase of diagnostics was carried out from 2008 to 2011 and the second began in 2019. The latter began in sector 1, between Compiègne and Passel. Mostly finalized, more than 120 ha were the subject of diagnostics leading to an excavation in the Municipality of Thourotte, the discoveries of which are explained below.
In Noyonnais, more than 85 ha are currently undergoing diagnostics, which will continue during 2024. Certain areas require partial deforestation to allow the intervention of archaeologists. 10 meter wide paths are then made outside nesting periods and under the supervision of an ecologist.
Following archaeological diagnostics carried out in the fall of 2022 on the right bank of the Oise in the commune of Thourotte, an excavation prescription was issued over an area of 5m². Archaeologists have uncovered remains dating back to the Mesolithic.
In the southern area of the area, mainly ceramic furniture and some hollow structures of the pit and posthole type, dating from the Middle Neolithic and more particularly from the so-called Cerny culture (4600-4200 BC) were found. been discovered.
To the northwest of the site, lithic remains were unearthed over an area of approximately 400 m². They consist mainly of knapped flint and numerous fragments of limestone, sandstone and burnt flint pebbles as well as some bone remains and rare bone tools. The nature of the flint pieces seems to direct their chronological attribution towards the Mesolithic.
Despite difficult conditions due to a rainy autumn, the proximity of the water table and the Oise, scientists have taken enough evidence from almost 4m depth, to provide information on the lifestyle of the populations around these old channels. The operation took place in compliance with the schedule and future studies, carried out by theIn rap, will make it possible to refine the chronological attribution of the occupations of this site and to put them into perspective in their more general, geological and environmental context.
To learn more about the archeology in the construction of the Canal, see this news.
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