Un cachot au Château Dubuc (Martinique) ?

Abstract

The excavation completed on the western part of the plantation La Caravelle in Martinique enabled the archaeological study of a building which was traditionally thought to be a prison. Implanted between the main house and the large storage warehouses, this small construction is divided into four identical rooms. This setting completely belongs to the organization and functioning of the sugar plantation this one dating back to the XVIII th century.However, its identification as a jail can be debatable. Indeed, the approach of the topographic organization of the different buildings, as well as the architectural data allows other assumptions.Is it a prison, a safety vault, a wind hut, or even a powder house?By exploring the different possibilities and their limits, this study suggests a mixed use of this space.

Keywords

• habitation sucrerie
• cachot
• chambre forte
• magasin à poudre
• esclavage