Fouille archeologique préventive, Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives

Events / Last discoveries

"Norroy the Merovingian"

On line since September 16, 2009 · Updated September 16, 2009
This was the headline of an article, about this village near Metz, which appeared in an important Lorraine regional daily newspaper in May 2005.

An excavation carried out by INRAP has discovered a complete 6th to 7th century cemetery. Usually such sites can only be partially excavated.

This time the archaeologists can study a complete cemetery population and place it in relation both with nearby settlements and its regional context.

There are at least 300 graves. The grave goods correspond to mortuary rites : there are swords, axes, glass objects in exceptional condition and even jewels.

This excavation was undertaken prior to the opening of a new industrial site, ECOPARC, being developed by the Community of communes of Maizières-lès-Metz.

See images

  • The Convent of the Visitation before its demolition. View of the garden front, 1903.
    The Convent of the Visitation before its demolition. View of the garden front, 1903.
    Photo: Barry, Commission du Vieux Paris
  • Plan of the Convent of the VisitationMarked in red on the Haussmanien cadastre– taken from the Plan de Verniquet, 1791The present excavation marked in red
    Plan of the Convent of the Visitation
    Marked in red on the Haussmanien cadastre– taken from the Plan de Verniquet, 1791
    The present excavation marked in red
    © Inrap
  • Lutetia at the beginning of the 3rd century ADImage taken from the website Paris, ville antique: http://www.paris.culture.fr
    Lutetia at the beginning of the 3rd century AD
    Image taken from the website Paris, ville antique: http://www.paris.culture.fr
    © Alban-Brice Pimpaud, Ministry of Culture and Communication, ddai/mrt
  • Plan known as de Bâle , circa 1550Extract showing the Faubourg Saint-JacquesIn red, approximate site of the present excavation
    Plan known as “de Bâle“, circa 1550
    Extract showing the Faubourg Saint-Jacques
    In red, approximate site of the present excavation
    © Inrap
  • Ensemble of the excavations seen from the terrace of a building opposite.
    Ensemble of the excavations seen from the terrace of a building opposite.
    Photo: Dhaap/Inrap
  • Section showing the different layers, with sidewalks, ditches and then gutters, from the virgin soil to a height of 2 metres.
    Section showing the different layers, with sidewalks, ditches and then gutters, from the virgin soil to a height of 2 metres.
    Cl. : Dhaap/Inrap
  • Last state of the Roman street.
    Last state of the Roman street.
    Cl. : Dhaap/Inrap

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