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RESEARCH PRODUCT

L'habitat et la nécropole celtes de Cagny Carrefour Philippe

subject

description

The site of Cagny on the "Plaine de Caen" was excavated from February to July 2008 and was the first site in Lower Normandy to reap the benefits of large sacle mechanical earth moving, the entire site being revealed over 13.6 acres. Beyond the two enclosures identified during a prior archaeological evaluation, this strategy, prescribed by the Ministry of Culture and Communication's archeological service in Lower-Normandy, resulted in the detection of unexpected remains and occupations. Indeed, we were able to study a settlement dating back to the Middle Neolithic II and a large necropolis with monuments dating to the Early to Middle Bronze Ages. For the Iron Age, features revealing domestic land division dating to the 6th century B.C., twelve habitation enclosures, a family necropolis and two significant roads wre brought to light. We were thus able to study a significant part of a rural domain localised at the crossroads of two routes, established at the end of the Hallstatt period. The heyday of this settlement seems to be the first half of the fifth century B.C. The artefacts discovered in Iron Age contexts - some hitherto unknown - were peculiarly abundant. Certain objects, made of amber and coral, bear witness to long distance trade and doubtlessly reflect the high social status of the first inhabitants oh this rural establishment.