Archaeologists working in northern France have uncovered the remains of a medieval village where the living and the dead once shared the same space—and where pottery production may have played a central role in the local economy.
A team from Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (Inrap) is currently excavating a 1,600-square-metre site in the centre of Fosses, in the Val d’Oise region. The dig, carried out under the supervision of state authorities, has revealed dense occupation dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries, including a cemetery, domestic structures, and several ovens.
One of the most striking discoveries is a necropolis containing around 80 burials, some of which date back to the Carolingian period. The graves are arranged in rows or small clusters, with narrow burial pits that occasionally include a carved space for the head of the deceased. No grave goods have been found.
What makes the site particularly intriguing is its layout. The cemetery sits directly beside evidence of everyday life, including buildings supported by wooden posts and domestic installations such as silos, ovens, and even a weaving hut. This close proximity raises important questions about how early medieval communities organised their space—and how they viewed the relationship between the living and the dead.
The excavation has also revealed several ovens that chart the development of food production in the village. A small oven from the Carolingian period appears to have been used for domestic cooking, located close to the settlement area.
By the 12th century, however, much larger ovens had been constructed. These would have been capable of baking bread for multiple families, or even the entire community, suggesting a shift toward more collective forms of organisation.
Perhaps the most significant discovery is a large pottery kiln, along with several pits filled with discarded ceramic fragments—evidence of failed firings. These remains provide valuable clues about the types of pottery produced at Fosses and the scale of its craft activity.
Archaeologists have also identified clay extraction pits, further confirming that pottery production was a key feature of the site. Analysis suggests that this activity took place between the 11th and 13th centuries, pointing to Fosses as a specialised pottery village during the High Middle Ages.
To better understand when these kilns were in use, researchers are turning to archaeomagnetism, a technique that measures how fired clay records the Earth’s magnetic field at the moment of heating. By comparing these readings with established reference data, archaeologists can determine when the ovens were last used.
Combined with the study of ceramic remains, this method allows researchers to build a detailed timeline of activity at Fosses, tracing its occupation and development during the Middle Ages.
The discoveries at Fosses offer a rare glimpse into the daily life of a medieval village, from burial practices and domestic routines to communal baking and specialised craft production.
While further analysis is needed to determine the full scale of pottery production and its economic importance, the site already stands out as an important example of how medieval communities lived, worked, and organised their environment over centuries.
Archaeologists working in northern France have uncovered the remains of a medieval village where the living and the dead once shared the same space—and where pottery production may have played a central role in the local economy.
A team from Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (Inrap) is currently excavating a 1,600-square-metre site in the centre of Fosses, in the Val d’Oise region. The dig, carried out under the supervision of state authorities, has revealed dense occupation dating from the 9th to the 13th centuries, including a cemetery, domestic structures, and several ovens.
A Medieval Landscape of Life and Death
One of the most striking discoveries is a necropolis containing around 80 burials, some of which date back to the Carolingian period. The graves are arranged in rows or small clusters, with narrow burial pits that occasionally include a carved space for the head of the deceased. No grave goods have been found.
What makes the site particularly intriguing is its layout. The cemetery sits directly beside evidence of everyday life, including buildings supported by wooden posts and domestic installations such as silos, ovens, and even a weaving hut. This close proximity raises important questions about how early medieval communities organised their space—and how they viewed the relationship between the living and the dead.
From Household Cooking to Community Baking
The excavation has also revealed several ovens that chart the development of food production in the village. A small oven from the Carolingian period appears to have been used for domestic cooking, located close to the settlement area.
By the 12th century, however, much larger ovens had been constructed. These would have been capable of baking bread for multiple families, or even the entire community, suggesting a shift toward more collective forms of organisation.
A Village of Potters
Perhaps the most significant discovery is a large pottery kiln, along with several pits filled with discarded ceramic fragments—evidence of failed firings. These remains provide valuable clues about the types of pottery produced at Fosses and the scale of its craft activity.
Archaeologists have also identified clay extraction pits, further confirming that pottery production was a key feature of the site. Analysis suggests that this activity took place between the 11th and 13th centuries, pointing to Fosses as a specialised pottery village during the High Middle Ages.
Dating the Kilns with Magnetic Clues
To better understand when these kilns were in use, researchers are turning to archaeomagnetism, a technique that measures how fired clay records the Earth’s magnetic field at the moment of heating. By comparing these readings with established reference data, archaeologists can determine when the ovens were last used.
Combined with the study of ceramic remains, this method allows researchers to build a detailed timeline of activity at Fosses, tracing its occupation and development during the Middle Ages.
Reconstructing a Medieval Community
The discoveries at Fosses offer a rare glimpse into the daily life of a medieval village, from burial practices and domestic routines to communal baking and specialised craft production.
While further analysis is needed to determine the full scale of pottery production and its economic importance, the site already stands out as an important example of how medieval communities lived, worked, and organised their environment over centuries.
Top Image: Area of the kiln with burials unearthed in Fosses (Val-d’Oise). © Nicolas Warmé, Inrap
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts