The Frankish Village

According to archaeological excavations of Juvincourt-and-Damary sixth, seventh centuries

On a plot of 10 acres adjoining the Merovingian farm already reconstructed, an entire Frankish village was reconstituted, according to excavations by archaeologist Didier Bayard, in 1985/87, to Juvincourt and Damary (between Laon and Reims).

This work was made under the supervision of a Scientific Committee composed of archaeologists, scientists and chaired by Patrick Périn, Director of the Musée d'Archéologie Nationale de Saint Germain en Laye and leading scholar of Mérovingian History.

This village contains five large buildings including one of 53fts to 16fts, two pole barns, thirteen cabins with 2 or 4 poles, fence, well ... All this according to archaeological excavations.

What has been achieved in Marle is not a real "archaeological experiment". It is more of a reconstruction of volumes and the general appearance that could have a Merovingian hamlet at the end of the sixth century rather than a genuine archaeological experiment to replicate the techniques and gestures of the time.

Build a large archaeological park intended to accommodate the public need to deal with the labor legislation in force in the twenty-first century. Similarly, taking into account the geographic location of the archaeological park (zone of confluence of two rivers), major earthworks have been necessary to create a platform 3 feets high to protect the reconstruction of a major flood.

To limit the costs of implementation, all assemblies were simple. For example, only the roof of the granary No. 1 was assembled with mortice-tenons. Chainsaws, modern scaffolding, ladders were the basic tools of the carpenters. While the covers stubble Merovingian farm had already been made using hazel rods and ligatures to the wicker, the chaumier have used this time of modern means such as galvanized iron rods to replace the hazelnut and wire to replace the wicker. All wood species are local. The reed used for the covers came from Camargue.

Park map

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