L'enclos cultuel de Corent (Puy-de-Dôme) : festins et rites collectifs / The ritual enclosure of Corent (Puy-de- Dôme) : feasting and ceremonials

Abstract

Renewed excavations on the sanctuary of Corent have revealed a rectangular enclosure, preceding a monumental gallery from the roman period. The ditches produced many finds, mainly sheep bones and amphorae sherds dating back to the 1st Century B.C. (La Tène D2). Such deposits characterise, better than weapons or coins, cultual activities punctuated by public feasts with animal sacrifices and wine libations. The parallel with recent discoveries brings to light a new pattern of gallic sanctuary, specifically dedicated to feasting. Detailed study of the deposits allows a precise analysis of these ceremonials. Their relationship with other objects (weapons, ceramic and metal vessels, coins, tokens, rings, brooches...) reveals the role they played in the political organisation and evolution of the Arverni territory in the late Iron Age. Probably founded in the 2nd century B.C., the enclosure was removed during the roman Conquest to make room for the monumental development of the sanctuary, that lasted until the 3rd century A.D.