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At the origins of Christian Corsica - the forgotten churches of Propriano
During the construction of a housing project at Propriano (Southern Corsica) by the Limat Promotion property group, Inrap archaeologists have unearthed, by order of the State (DRAC Corsica), a classical construction, a collection of churches and an Antique necropolis.
Chronicle of site
Post date
15 December 2009
Last modified
15 January 2018
In view of the scientific interest of these discoveries, an extension of the excavations has been financed by the DRAC of Corsica.
The churches
The archaeologists have uncovered two successive superimposed churches.
The most recent, probably from the start of the second period of the Middle Ages, and preserved to more than a metre in height, has a nave of 11 m by 5.60 m, extended to the south-east by an apse. This chapel was built on the ruins of a previous church, currently attributed to the 6th or 7th century AD. This first church is larger – 16 m long and 8.50 m wide – and most of its liturgical facilities have been exceptionally well preserved. Thus, the masonry floor of the choir, the base of a masonry altar and a bench for the clergy against the apse are still visible. In the nave, two low parallel walls have also been uncovered, which seem to delineate an axial corridor leading to the choir. To the north, a small room, destroyed by fire, is linked to the chapel by a staircase cut out of the thickness of the wall.
A collection of walls and a circular building 6.50 m in internal diameter date from a previous occupation, perhaps corresponding to a Roman villa Two small groups of burials, located a few metres to the west and north may also be associated with this occupation. It was on the ruins of this construction that the first buildings of the Christian cult were raised. Finally, to the west, the recent construction of a hangar has partially destroyed a third apsidal building, of which the walls can still be seen.
The most recent, probably from the start of the second period of the Middle Ages, and preserved to more than a metre in height, has a nave of 11 m by 5.60 m, extended to the south-east by an apse. This chapel was built on the ruins of a previous church, currently attributed to the 6th or 7th century AD. This first church is larger – 16 m long and 8.50 m wide – and most of its liturgical facilities have been exceptionally well preserved. Thus, the masonry floor of the choir, the base of a masonry altar and a bench for the clergy against the apse are still visible. In the nave, two low parallel walls have also been uncovered, which seem to delineate an axial corridor leading to the choir. To the north, a small room, destroyed by fire, is linked to the chapel by a staircase cut out of the thickness of the wall.
A collection of walls and a circular building 6.50 m in internal diameter date from a previous occupation, perhaps corresponding to a Roman villa Two small groups of burials, located a few metres to the west and north may also be associated with this occupation. It was on the ruins of this construction that the first buildings of the Christian cult were raised. Finally, to the west, the recent construction of a hangar has partially destroyed a third apsidal building, of which the walls can still be seen.
The necropolis
The necropolis is comprised of 72 graves, most often beneath tiled gables, sometimes in stone or brick coffers for adults, with a cylindrical amphora of African origin for children. These amphora graves are numerous and sometimes associated with a gabled tomb. The deposits of offerings consist of a few glass bottles and coins, mostly attributed to the 4th century AD. The last phase of use of this funerary zone is indicated by a collection of graves in open ground.
Rediscover the history of Propriano
The churches at Propriano probably fell into complete oblivion from the Middle Ages and even the toponymy retains no indication. No mention is made of a settlement or a port at this point on Ptolemy's classical map, nor on that of Antonio Magnani, produced before 1536. It was not until 1860 that this simple fishing hamlet, depending from Fozzano, became a commune in its own right.

Vue générale du chantier sur les hauteurs de Propriano, au lieu dit Quattrina.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Détail d'un chrisme gravé sur une tuile utilisée dans le coffrage d'une tombe paléochrétienne.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Vue général du chantier sur les hauteurs de Propriano, au lieu dit Quattrina.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Les deux églises, détails des absides et des aménagements liturgiques. La plus récente probablement construite au Moyen Age, dans les ruines de l'église du VIe ou VIIe siècle (plus vaste).
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Vue du chantier , depuis le nord. Au premier plan une petite salle détruite par un incendie et reliée à la première église par un escalier.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Un ensemble de murs et un bâtiment circulaire de 6.5 m de diamètre intérieur correspondant peut-être à une villa romaine.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Les deux églises, détails des absides et des aménagements liturgiques. La plus récente probablement construite au Moyen Age, dans les ruines de l'église du VIe ou VIIe siècle (plus vaste).
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Tombe
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Tombe
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Tombe
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Tombes
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Vue du chantier , depuis le nord. Au premier plan une petite salle détruite par un incendie et reliée à la première église par un escalier.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Un ensemble de murs et un bâtiment circulaire de 6,50 m de diamètre intérieur correspondant peut-être à une villa romaine.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap

Vue du chantier depuis l'Est, au premier plan les deux absides.
© Denis Gliksman, Inrap
Developer : SARL Limat Promotion
Curation : Service régional de l'archéologie (DRAC Corse)
Site director : Philippe Chapon, Inrap
Contact(s) :
Mahaut Tyrrell
Media communication
Inrap, media partnerships and relations department
+33 (0)1 40 08 80 24
mahaut.tyrrell [at] inrap.fr
Catherine Dureuil
Cultural development and communication
Inrap Méditerranée
+33 (0)6 87 01 62 86
catherine.dureuil [at] inrap.fr