Archaeologists have uncovered a forgotten medieval cemetery in the town of Bourg-Charente, in southwestern France. The discovery, made in advance of a housing development, has revealed over 470 burials dating from the Early Middle Ages to the 13th century.
The excavation was carried out by the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) and local authorities at a site known as Les Bernardières. The dig, which was carried out late last year, spanned an area of 2,700 square metres near the town’s Romanesque church.
The site offers evidence of three distinct phases of occupation, ranging from the Iron Age to the medieval period. While only a few pottery fragments remain from the Protohistoric period, the Gallo-Roman era is represented by architectural elements—such as cut stone blocks—reused in the construction or fill of the medieval graves.
Bourg-Charente itself has deep roots in the region’s history. Located on the left bank of the Charente River, the town was once the centre of one of the oldest and most powerful châtellenies in Angoumois, dating back to the 10th century. Although the medieval castle is long gone, the parish once extended into neighbouring areas, including parts of Gensac and Chassors.
The cemetery uncovered during the excavation may have once been linked to the Romanesque church, which dates to the 11th century and is listed as a historic monument. However, archaeologists believe part of the cemetery could have belonged to a separate funerary complex, such as a leper hospital or an almshouse. The site likely originated in the Carolingian period (from the 9th century) and reached its peak in the early 13th century, before being gradually abandoned and forgotten.
What surprised researchers most was the sheer scale of the burial ground. Over 470 individual graves have been identified, prompting the involvement of numerous anthropologists to help examine the remains.
The cemetery’s graves are generally simple pits, some of which once held wooden coffins supported by reused architectural stones. Others were covered by wooden planks topped with limestone blocks. Only two stone-built coffins, more typical of medieval burial practices, were identified.
Despite the large number of burials, very little accompanying material has been found, making dating difficult. Radiocarbon testing on two samples suggests the cemetery was in use from the Carolingian period or early 11th century. The excavated area represents only a portion of the cemetery, which seems to have gradually moved beyond the town’s bounds over time.
The burial practices followed a consistent pattern: bodies were laid on their backs, typically with the head facing west or northwest, and were buried in shrouds or dressed clothing. Men and women are represented in equal number. Roughly two-thirds of the population were adults between 20 and 60 years old, while the rest were non-adults ranging from stillborn infants to older adolescents. The most frequent age group among children was 9 to 12 years.
Preliminary health assessments carried out on-site revealed signs of age-related bone degeneration such as spondyloarthrosis and rhizarthrosis, inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, and some traumatic injuries, including bone fractures that may have led to infection.
Further laboratory analysis will explore the health, living conditions, and causes of death among the buried individuals. Researchers hope this will shed light on the development and eventual abandonment of this medieval funerary zone.
This discovery opens new perspectives on medieval burial practices and community structures in rural France. The excavation not only enriches our understanding of Bourg-Charente’s medieval past but also contributes to broader research on how medieval societies treated the dead.
Archaeologists have uncovered a forgotten medieval cemetery in the town of Bourg-Charente, in southwestern France. The discovery, made in advance of a housing development, has revealed over 470 burials dating from the Early Middle Ages to the 13th century.
The excavation was carried out by the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) and local authorities at a site known as Les Bernardières. The dig, which was carried out late last year, spanned an area of 2,700 square metres near the town’s Romanesque church.
A Layered History
The site offers evidence of three distinct phases of occupation, ranging from the Iron Age to the medieval period. While only a few pottery fragments remain from the Protohistoric period, the Gallo-Roman era is represented by architectural elements—such as cut stone blocks—reused in the construction or fill of the medieval graves.
Bourg-Charente itself has deep roots in the region’s history. Located on the left bank of the Charente River, the town was once the centre of one of the oldest and most powerful châtellenies in Angoumois, dating back to the 10th century. Although the medieval castle is long gone, the parish once extended into neighbouring areas, including parts of Gensac and Chassors.
An Unexpectedly Large Burial Ground
The cemetery uncovered during the excavation may have once been linked to the Romanesque church, which dates to the 11th century and is listed as a historic monument. However, archaeologists believe part of the cemetery could have belonged to a separate funerary complex, such as a leper hospital or an almshouse. The site likely originated in the Carolingian period (from the 9th century) and reached its peak in the early 13th century, before being gradually abandoned and forgotten.
What surprised researchers most was the sheer scale of the burial ground. Over 470 individual graves have been identified, prompting the involvement of numerous anthropologists to help examine the remains.
Who Were the Dead?
The cemetery’s graves are generally simple pits, some of which once held wooden coffins supported by reused architectural stones. Others were covered by wooden planks topped with limestone blocks. Only two stone-built coffins, more typical of medieval burial practices, were identified.
Despite the large number of burials, very little accompanying material has been found, making dating difficult. Radiocarbon testing on two samples suggests the cemetery was in use from the Carolingian period or early 11th century. The excavated area represents only a portion of the cemetery, which seems to have gradually moved beyond the town’s bounds over time.
The burial practices followed a consistent pattern: bodies were laid on their backs, typically with the head facing west or northwest, and were buried in shrouds or dressed clothing. Men and women are represented in equal number. Roughly two-thirds of the population were adults between 20 and 60 years old, while the rest were non-adults ranging from stillborn infants to older adolescents. The most frequent age group among children was 9 to 12 years.
Traces of Medieval Life and Death
Preliminary health assessments carried out on-site revealed signs of age-related bone degeneration such as spondyloarthrosis and rhizarthrosis, inflammatory conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, and some traumatic injuries, including bone fractures that may have led to infection.
Further laboratory analysis will explore the health, living conditions, and causes of death among the buried individuals. Researchers hope this will shed light on the development and eventual abandonment of this medieval funerary zone.
This discovery opens new perspectives on medieval burial practices and community structures in rural France. The excavation not only enriches our understanding of Bourg-Charente’s medieval past but also contributes to broader research on how medieval societies treated the dead.
Top Image: © Patrick Ernaux, Inrap
Subscribe to Medievalverse
Related Posts