Archaeological excavations reveal 7,000 years of civilization beneath normandy fields

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By: Sahili Aya

Archaeological excavations reveal 7,000 years of civilization beneath normandy fields

Archaeologists have uncovered traces of 7,000 years of human occupation beneath farmland in northwestern France, shedding new light on prehistoric settlement and trade in Normandy.

The discoveries were made in Ecouche-les-Vallees, a quiet rural commune in the department of Orne, where fields of flax conceal significant archaeological remains. The excavation, conducted by the Institut national de recherches archeologiques preventives (Inrap), was launched ahead of the planned expansion of a limestone quarry, in accordance with France’s preventive archaeology regulations.

Led by archaeologist Emmanuel Ghesquiere, the team identified two major sites located just ten meters apart: a Neolithic settlement dating back to approximately 4900 BCE and a princely tomb from the early Bronze Age, estimated around 1900 BCE.

The Neolithic remains include traces of large wooden and earthen dwellings, likely topped with thatched roofs. Archaeologists believe these structures housed extended families of around a dozen people and may also have sheltered livestock. Storage pits found nearby suggest the cultivation and preservation of cereals, indicating a well-organized agrarian society.

Roughly 3,000 years later, the same area became a burial site for a high-status individual. Although no human remains were preserved—due to the acidic nature of the soil—the grave goods point to a person of considerable importance. Researchers uncovered 31 finely crafted flint arrowheads and two bronze daggers measuring 20 and 30 centimeters.

According to Ghesquiere, the arrowheads were likely ceremonial rather than functional, reflecting symbolic prestige rather than practical warfare. The bronze daggers, made from copper and tin, highlight the development of long-distance trade networks during the Bronze Age. Tin may have originated from Cornwall, while copper could have come from Wales, underscoring the existence of early cross-Channel exchange routes.

The findings also reveal changes in environmental conditions over time. Bronze artifacts discovered in the 19th century in the same region were remarkably well preserved, while the newly unearthed daggers show significant surface alteration, possibly linked to modern agricultural practices.

The excavation forms part of Inrap’s broader 2026 research focus on the Bronze Age and the expansion of early trade networks by land, river and sea. Beyond their historical value, the discoveries provide insight into how ancient communities adapted to their environment and participated in emerging economic systems.