🔍🌊 Buried treasure: 4000 years of history under the Pilat dune to preserve! 🏖️✨

IN BRIEF

Dune du Pilat: a unique natural site in Europe.
Excavation campaign since October 2024 to save remains.
Objective: preserve evidence of human occupation for up to 4000 years.
Exploration around the Arcachon basin.
Focus on protohistory: end of the Bronze Age to the early Iron Age.
Discoveries: salt production workshop and ancient burials.
Threatening erosion requires prompt and effective intervention.
A museum in Teste-de-Buch to showcase these archaeological treasures.

At the heart of the dune du Pilat, a heritage treasure of 4000 years of history slowly emerges from the sands. Since the beginning of October 2024, a team of archaeologists has launched a large-scale archaeological exploration, determined to document and preserve the remains of a bygone era before erosion obliterates them forever. The discoveries made at the foot of this majestic dune testify to a rich and complex human life, providing a captivating insight into protohistory and the ways of life that shaped this territory.

The dune du Pilat is more than just a natural phenomenon; it is a true time capsule that holds centuries of history. Since October 2024, a team of archaeologists has been busy at its feet conducting excavations considered essential to preserve the remains of human occupation. Every grain of sand removed reveals buried secrets, enriching our understanding of the past.

The Urgent Excavations: A Necessity for Preservation #

With erosion threatening this exceptional site, the mission of the researchers is crucial. At the entrance of the Arcachon basin, under the direction of Philippe Jacques, a 70-meter strip is being carefully studied. The archaeologists aim to document the last traces of human occupation dating back to the protohistory, a pivotal period between the end of the Bronze Age and the early Iron Age. The urgency of these excavations lies in the need to save these precious layers of history before they are swept away by the wind.

The Revealing Remains of Daily Life #

The Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) is meticulously supervising this excavation campaign. Each level of sand removed offers clues about the way of life of populations that settled in this territory between 1000 and 500 BC. Sample extractions and methodical surveys promise to shed light on the trades, rituals, and ways of life of these forgotten communities.

A Historical Continuity Beneath the Dune #

These excavations are part of the continuity of research initiated in 2018, which had already highlighted a sea salt production workshop. This site not only reflects the artisanal activities of the time but also illustrates the importance of fresh water for salt production. Archaeologists have also uncovered cremation burials, adding a poignant dimension to these discoveries, evoking the complex relationship between the living and the dead in these distant civilizations.

An Ever-Evolving Archaeological Treasure #

The history of the dune du Pilat is not recent. The first traces of human occupation were spotted in the 1960s, but systematic excavations began in 2014. Recent years have unveiled a multitude of archaeological sites. Evidence dating back to the early 18th century, such as remains of resin exploitation and elements related to fishing, prove that this area has always been a place of intense habitation.

The Race Against Erosion: A Perpetual Challenge #

Each excavation cycle comes with the growing threat of erosion. Every four to five years, new areas of the dune become accessible to archaeologists, but they also risk being obliterated by the forces of nature. This alternation between uncovering discoveries and destruction has a significant impact on excavation strategies. A preventive approach is necessary to maximize documentation before nature takes over.

A Museum to Highlight the Discovered Heritage #

The discoveries made will soon find a museum worthy of them. The town of La Teste-de-Buch is currently working on the opening of a museum exclusively dedicated to this fascinating archaeological heritage. After more than twenty years of efforts, the museum received the designation of Museum of France at the end of 2023, a recognition that promises to bring these treasures to a wide audience. The initiative aims to raise visitor awareness about the importance and richness of the human history that lies beneath the majestic dune.

Excavations beneath the dune du Pilat thus represent a crucial point for understanding our past, making this place a guardian of human memory that deserves to be preserved for future generations.