L'établissement rural des ixe-xe siècles des “ Jeanrais ” à Saint-Prix (Allier)

Abstract

The site of “Jeanrais” was discovered in 1999 during the diagnosis preliminary to the construction of a bypass for Lapalisse/Saint-Prix by trunk road N7. The rescue dig carried out in 2003 was used to study near to 4000 m² of this vast rural settlement of the Carolingian period which extends on either side of the road expropriation and whose occupation spans at least two centuries. The remains uncovered evidence of meticulous organization of space that has no regional parallel. The good state of preservation of the remains has led to the identification of several plans of post buildings one of which housed a semi-excavated development in the shape of a “U”. The collected furnishings include items such as unusual glazed ceramic firing failures and some horse fittings. The data collected in the two successive zones of occupation reveal unusual features which raise questions about the status of this settlement.

Keywords

• Allier
• artisans
• Carolingian period
• rural settlement
• Saint-Prix