The underground dwellings of Naours, a popular tourist site during the First World War

Since 2014, Gille Prilaux (Inrap) has coordinated archaeological research in the underground dwellings of Naours (Somme). This aim of this work, initiated by the Bocage-Hallue community district, was initially to date this vast underground system. The discovery of an surprising concentration of graffiti and inscriptions made by soldiers during the First World War reoriented the investigation to a formerly unknown activity at this site: touristic visits to the underground dwellings during the First World War.

An underground refuge starting in the 15th century

In Picardy and Artois, modified underground sites are often composed of a complex network of several branches. The Naours site is centered around an epicenter (ancient quarries) from which around a dozen small “islands” branch off. Today, archaeological research supports the hypothesis of a large occupation at the beginning of the 17th century during the Thirty Years’ War, attested by inscriptions, coins, pottery and musket bullets. The site of Naours was rediscovered at the end of the 19th century by Father Danicourt who, after 18 years of excavation and extensive modifications, made this incredible piece of work accessible in 1888. Since is opening to tourists in the 1930’s, it has been said that the site served as a hospital during the First World War. Archaeological research now contradicts this story and affirms that it was in fact a tourist attraction during this tumultuous period. 

Graffiti and lead pencils

Though the research and identification of these thousands of names has just begun, a few individuals with sometimes extraordinary stories have already been revealed.  Lieutenant Leslie Russel Blake, for example, wrote his name and unit on the wall on January 1, 1917. This famous Australian geologist and cartographer was an explorer in the Antarctic. He was internationally recognized by the scientific community for his work on Macquarie Island. This war hero, injured several times and well known his participation in the combats of the Battle of the Somme, died on October 3, 1918. 

January 1, 1917, Blake

Les travaux de recherche et d’identification de ces milliers de noms débutent. Mais quelques personnalités aux histoires parfois extraordinaires s’en dégagent. C’est le cas du lieutenant Leslie Russel Blake. Blake qui laissera son nom et celui de son unité sur la paroi du souterrain le 1^er janvier 1917. Célèbre géologue et cartographe australien, il est explorateur de l’Antarctique. Ses travaux sur l’île Macquarie lui vaudront alors la reconnaissance de la communauté scientifique internationale. Véritable héros de guerre, plusieurs fois blessé, il s’illustre pendant les combats de la bataille de la Somme et meurt le 3 octobre 1918.

January 2, 1917, Allan Allsop

Archival research reveals that the site of Naours was a very popular local curiosity to the soldiers stationed in the sector. One of the signatures was made by William Joseph Allan Allsop on January 2, 1917, who on this date he wrote in his journal: …in the afternoon, a group of 10 of us went to the famous “caves” near Naours, where the refugees often hid during invasions. The caves contain around 300 rooms – one of which is 1000 meters long. An entire unit, with its men, horses, canons and transports could fit in here…