La pénétration des groupes saxons et anglo-saxons dans le Ponthieu entre la fin du IV e et le milieu du VI e siècle

Abstract

The implantation of Saxon and Anglo-Saxon groups along the Channel coasts between the late 4th century and the second half of the 6th century, has always raised multiple questions. First, about the nature of these migrations, the size of the populations who came to theses regions, the role of these groups of people and their social status in relation to the local populations. Thanks to the inventory and the study of Saxon and Anglo-Saxon grave-goods in Merovingian Gaul, these maritime migrations are now very well understood and replaced within the historical context of the period. Ponthieu remains the first territory to welcome these groups of foreigners from Germany and Britain. The case of the cemetery of Vron is the first example which shows the evolution from Saxons to Anglo-Saxons during the late 4th and the second half of the 6th century. Between the Canche and Somme valleys, there are other examples of important cemeteries like La Calotterie, Nouvion-en-Ponthieu and Waben, which also proves the penetration of foreign minorities in Ponthieu during the Merovingian Period.