Revue Archéologique du Centre de la France (Jun 2018)

Des moulins hydrauliques en périphérie d’Augustonemetum/Clermont-Ferrand, Puy-de-Dôme (iie-iiie s. ap. J.-C.)

  • Damien Martinez,
  • Julien Ollivier

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 57

Abstract

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Two recent preventive archaeological excavations carried out in Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) allowed to study the evolution of districts located in the outskirts of the antique city between the end of the first or the beginning of the second century and the Late Roman Empire. Buildings using for craft or commercial activities are standing close to residential settlements. They take place in marshy areas, on the fringes of the primitive center of the augustean period, that have been invested after important draining works. The control of the rivers crossing the two studied sites was followed by their exploitation. Therefore, water mills have been identified on each site, firstly thanks to the many wooden objects and to the millstones discovered during excavations, secondly thanks to the built remains’ analysis. So, the sites of Fontgiève and of the “Scène nationale” are two new examples of hydraulic installations in an urban context, which allowed to raise the question of the use of the water driving force in craft activities – the mill may not be the only one –, but also the question of the flour supply in antique cities.

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