Excavations in Mâcon : the Îlot des Minimes neighbourhood

Scheduled during the first half of 2019, in the former garden of the convent of the Minims, the excavations provided evidence of the remains of a large settlement that became established from the second half of the ninth century.

This occupation of space can be interpreted as the beginnings of initial development of the town of Mâcon, which was previously entrenched behind the walls of the castrum. This extension is characterised by stone buildings on wooden posts, used as homes and artisan’s workshops, particularly for ironworking. It is protected by a major fortification, formed of a wide moat and a palisade, a sign of the strong presence of the powers of the bishop or the count.

Excavations of the Îlot des Minimes in 2019. View of a stage of the excavation of the building on slabs and eight load-bearing posts dated to the Early Middle Ages. Excavations of the Îlot des Minimes in 2019 : analysis of a set of post-holes with wedging that can be dated to the Early Middle Ages.

Excavations of the Îlot des Minimes in 2019: analysis of a set of post-holes with wedging that can be dated to the Early Middle Ages.

Excavations of the Îlot des Minimes in 2019. View of a stage of the excavation of the building on slabs and eight load-bearing posts dated to the Early Middle Ages.