# Inrap in Morbihan: bronzesmith workshop, sanctuary, Hermine castle and 17 bronze bracelets

- Published: 2026-11-12 06:58 UTC
- Section: Science › Research
- Tags: Inrap, preventive excavations, Morbihan archaeology, Saint-Avé bronzesmith workshop, Muzillac bronze bracelets, Château de l'Hermine, Locmariaquer sanctuary, Sarzeau excavation, Gavrinis cairn 3D
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-b847d9f79df887fd47d267ed_inrap_in_morbihan/

**Preventive excavations by France's Inrap in Morbihan produced finds from the Neolithic to the Gallo-Roman period, from Sarzeau to Muzillac.**

![Inrap in Morbihan: bronzesmith workshop, sanctuary, Hermine castle and 17 bronze bracelets](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/f5296d3953177abd.jpg)
*actu.fr*

The French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) has carried out preventive excavations in Morbihan and recorded finds at five sites, according to actu.fr. [1] The material covers several periods, from the Neolithic to Antiquity and the beginning of the Gallo-Roman period. [1]

## Sarzeau, Saint-Avé and Muzillac

In Sarzeau, Inrap excavated an area of about 3 hectares from September 2025 to February 2026. [1] The team documented numerous traces of occupation dated to the Neolithic, the Early and Late Bronze Age, the First Iron Age and Antiquity. [1]

In Saint-Avé, excavations begun in 2022 revealed a bronzesmith's workshop that is described as unprecedented and exceptional for northern France. [1] Three periods were identified at the site: the Neolithic around 4,000–4,500 BCE, the Bronze Age around 1,800–2,000 BCE, and Antiquity around the year 0 and the start of the Gallo-Roman period. [1]

In Muzillac, a set of 17 bronze bracelets was found in an Iron Age burial in January 2022. [1] The find came from the Questannette site, during a preventive excavation ahead of a private housing development. [1]

## Vannes, Locmariaquer and Gavrinis

In Vannes, excavations linked to the future Fine Arts museum exposed remains of the Château de l'Hermine: the ducal residence, moats and everyday objects. [1] In Locmariaquer, an ancient sanctuary was discovered in the middle of the town. [1]

The article also mentions a better understanding of the Gavrinis cairn, achieved through 3D digitisation. [1] This work was carried out by Serge Cassen of the Nantes archaeological research laboratory and Laurent Lescop of the Nantes national school of architecture (Ensa). [1]

## Sources

1. [actu.fr](https://actu.fr/bretagne/saint-ave_56206/fouilles-archeologiques-voici-cinq-decouvertes-scientifiques-exceptionnelles-dans-le-morbihan_65034058.html)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-b847d9f79df887fd47d267ed_inrap_in_morbihan/