Archaeologists Uncover Iron Age Settlement and Fishing Artifacts at Dune of Pilat
Excavations at the Dune of Pilat revealed rare intact ceramics, fishing gear, and structural postholes dating to the Iron Age.
From September 21 to October 9, archaeologists and volunteers conducted field excavations at the Dune of Pilat in Gironde, France. According to a report by Actu.fr, the team recovered human artifacts associated with salt production, domestic life, and coastal fishing dating back to the Iron Age, a period placed between 800 and 700 BC in Europe actu.fr
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Intact Ceramics and Fishing Tools
Within the salt-work section of the site, researchers exposed a pit containing numerous ceramic fragments. Among these finds was an archaeologically complete ceramic vessel, preserved intact from the base up to the neck. Archaeologist Philippe Jacques noted that recovering an unbroken profile of this nature is relatively rare for the area.
The excavation also yielded tools directly linked to maritime subsistence activities. The team recorded a net float, a stone net sinker, and fragments identified as a shuttle utilized to repair fishing nets. Jacques stated that these objects constitute the first direct material evidence of Iron Age fishing activities uncovered on this specific coastal sector.
Evidence of Buried Structures
North of the salt-work zone, the archaeologists documented signs of a residential area. The researchers uncovered structural features consisting of postholes and pits, indicating the presence of at least one building still buried beneath the eastern section of the dune actu.fr
Actu.fractu.frOpen source ↗.
These architectural remains demonstrate settled human activity at the site during antiquity. The team stated that the newly identified structural deposits will remain subject to future excavation campaigns planned over the coming years.
