As part of the Loire Riverbed Rebalancing Program, carried out by Voies Navigables de France (VNF), the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) conducted two excavations along the riverbanks, specifically in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon (Loire-Atlantique). These archaeological investigations have revealed surprising discoveries, including a stone and wood structure from the Roman era, as well as the remains of a medieval boat from the 9th or 10th century.
The river rebalancing project, which involves reducing or removing numerous groynes along the Loire, poses a short-term threat to several archaeological remains trapped in the sand, such as ancient constructions or shipwrecks. The excavation areas, submerged most of the year, were investigated during the low water period between August and October.
Despite this, sudden floods or variations in water levels complicated some operations, as occurred with the excavation on Mouchet Island, which was interrupted on September 10 due to rising river levels.
The excavations have provided valuable information about the use and history of the Loire. On Coton Island, for example, a stone and wood structure was discovered, initially thought to be related to modern-era navigation. However, carbon-14 dating revealed that it corresponded to the Roman period, between the 1st and 3rd centuries.
This structure, composed of horizontal beams and wooden posts anchored in the riverbed, was likely used as a bank reinforcement system or possibly as a river crossing to connect nearby settlements.
Were these remains a road, a bridge, a dyke, or bank reinforcement, or perhaps a channel marker for Brevets? The excavation area is 1.5 km from the Airennes slope on the right bank, where a Gallo-Roman occupation has been documented, and 1.5 km from the ancient settlement of La Nigaudière on the left bank.
The structure discovered on Coton Island may have been part of the connection between these ancient settlements and the river. At that time, rivers were widely used for the transportation of goods and people. The waterways formed an important network for distributing craft and agricultural products throughout Gaul and to cities with ports. The original layout of Coton Island has not yet revealed all its secrets, but it undoubtedly played a crucial role in both river access and the protection of the head of Coton Island.
Meanwhile, on Mouchet Island, a Carolingian chaland-type boat was found, 16 meters long and 2 meters wide, built of oak wood and adapted for river navigation.
The boat’s architecture is unique in the region and shows advanced shipbuilding techniques, influenced by ancient vessels from the Rhône Valley. Ongoing studies aim to define more precisely the original use of the boat, which may have been employed for transporting goods or people.
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, Inrap will organize a screening and conference at the open-air theater in Ancenis on September 21. During the evening, archaeologists Anne Hoyau-Berry and Yann Viau will present the results of the 2024 excavations and share details about previous research from 2022, which included the discovery of medieval fisheries and 17th- and 18th-century shipwrecks on Coton and Poulas Islands.
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