Association de Sauvegarde duCHATEAU DE GAVRAY |
NOWADAYS |
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By 1980, the castle site had almost completely disappeared. He is no more than a name on a map and his rich past is forgotten. A young teacher, Jocelyne Leparmentier, rediscovers it, pulls it out of the brush, brambles and oblivion with the help of a team of volunteers, including many of the country's "elders". Then, with a small team of old stone enthusiasts, she decided to create an association with the aim of |
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| The clearing of brush in 1980: two "old-timers" make the "parapet walk" at the foot of the keep accessible. |
As this initial work revealed more important ground structures than previously thought, it was decided to carry out archaeological research on the site. |
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| The "walkway" today. (photo taken in the same place as the previous one) |
Excavations from 1982 to 1992 |
From 1982 to 1992, excavation sites followed one another every July: young people from all walks of life came for a few weeks to excavate the ground of the fortress. |
| Trowel stripping: Even in a site as large and containing as much fill as a fortified castle, stripping with a trowel and a broom is necessary to clear a layer of occupation. | The construction site drawing, with frame and plumb line. The excavation destroys the archaeological layers: it is therefore essential to draw each layer, each structure, before making them disappear. | |
| Marking of the sherds: all the sherds unearthed are washed and marked with the number of the layer in which they were discovered. This is what makes it possible to identify them and attempt collages. |
