Archaeologists from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) have made a significant discovery in northern France, specifically in the town of Vémars, in the Val-d’Oise department. This discovery consists of two systems of circular enclosures dating from the Bronze Age, found on a hillside in the valley.
These circular enclosures, located approximately thirty meters apart, are situated at the upper part of the western slope of the valley. Their importance lies not only in their geometric configuration but also in the absence of associated burial remains, raising questions about their exact function.
One of the enclosures consists of a single circular ditch with an internal diameter of approximately 22 meters, a width of 1.20 meters, and a depth of 1 meter. The second system is more complex, made up of two concentric circular ditches: the deeper one, with a diameter of 20 meters, and the outer one, 35 meters in diameter. The V-shaped profile of the inner ditch and its average depth of 1.20 meters contrast with the outer ditch, which barely exceeds 0.20 meters in depth.

Although no movable objects have been recovered from the site, the researchers plan to conduct radiocarbon dating to more precisely determine the chronology of these structures, traditionally dated to the Bronze Age. Additionally, further studies have detected soil anomalies, possibly caused by earth accumulations associated with the enclosures, which could provide clues about the construction techniques used.
The discovery of these circular enclosures adds to a collection of similar structures identified in various parts of France since 2015, as part of Inrap’s national mapping project. These structures, although common in certain archaeological contexts, continue to raise questions about their function: Were they used as ritual spaces, community gathering areas, or perhaps places with symbolic or defensive purposes?
The Vémars site, far from being an isolated find, is part of a region rich in history and archaeological remains spanning from the Neolithic to the Iron Age. The earliest occupation in the area is represented by deep pits with I- or Y-shaped profiles, reaching an average depth of 1.50 meters and a width of 0.50 meters.

These structures are considered characteristic of the Early Neolithic and the Late Bronze Age in France, with their precise function still under debate. Archaeobotanical and micromorphological studies are ongoing to clarify their natural environment and their relationship with possible human activities.
On the other hand, the site also includes remains from the La Tène culture period (300-25 BC), showing an organized settlement pattern in parcel networks adapted to the valley’s topography. These networks contained both residential areas and spaces dedicated to agriculture and pasture. Noteworthy finds from this period include nine silos, a well, and remains related to metallurgical activity, such as slag and clay molds, as well as one burial and six cremations.
This discovery contributes to a broader picture of the cultural and technological transformations that marked the transition from the Neolithic to the Iron Age in northern Gaul. The research is being led by Gaëlle Bruley-Chabot, with the support of the Regional Archaeology Service of the Drac Île-de-France and SNCF Réseau, as part of the Roissy-Picardie/Triangle LGV railway development project. Preliminary results highlight the importance of preventive archaeology projects to preserve and understand cultural heritage before infrastructure works are carried out.
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