A Gaulois village discovered at Gif-sur-Yvette

The Greater Saclay Authority (CAPS), wishing to improve its knowledge of the local heritage, asked the DRAC - Regional Archaeology Service to undertake an archaeological evaluation, to be followed, if necessary by full excavation. 
  Twelve Inrap archaeologists, directed by Olivier Blin, have been excavating 3 hectares since November 2005. They have found a settlement dating mainly from the end of the First Iron Age (Hallstatt) characterised by plots of land each enclosed by small shallow ditches. 

In each area can be found dwellings, silos, granaries and other practical constructions. Sunken featured buildings have yielded numerous spindle-whorls whose presence indicates weaving. Abundant archaeological finds (ceramic vases for cooking or storage, some decorated or painted, bronze fibulae …) have been found in backfilled pits. The examination of the numerous animal bones will give an idea about the eating habits of the time. The work of palaeo-botanists will help us to grasp the environmental conditions, to identify the different crops grown, and to imagine the landscape. 

In the western part of the site, an area enclosed by a ditch, dating from the same period, probably had a building at its centre. This would be the residence of someone of high rank. 

What has been found is a "Gaulois village", a major discovery for the North of France. It is to be compared with the strongholds and princely dwellings known in the East and the South of France.