Le site néolithique moyen de Derrière-les-Prés à Ernes (Calvados)

Abstract

The Derrière-les-Prés passage grave at Ernes (Calvados) is situated 25 km south of Caen, on the western slope of the Laizon valley. It was partially explored around 1840 par Mr Bellivet, member of the Société des Antiquaires de Normandie. The recent large scale excavation ended in 1990. Under the remains of the levelled limestone dry stone walled monument and its rubble, artefacts and features corresponding to two anterior occupation phases were fossilized in the ancient land surface. The oldest occupation can be clearly attributed to the Cerny civilisation by a concentration of pottery and lithic artefacts. The radiocarbon dating of a surface hearth (4740- 4070 B.C.) preserved under the monument enables us, with some reservations, to associate the feature to the Cerny period. The second occupation before the use of the grave is attributed to the Middle Neolithic II, by scarcer lithic and pottery artefacts. The radiocarbon dates from two hearths in shallow pits under the rubble (4072-3797 and 4080-3743 B.C.) enable us to attribute them either to a domestic occupation prior to the grave, or to an occupation associated to its erection and use. The monumental phase begins with the laying out of the funerary chamber, probably by temporary pegging, marked in the ancient ground level by a circle of post hole stones. This state has not been dated, neither has the construction of a double faced wall. The later consolidation however, consisting of an annular mass of stones, is dated by animal bones abandoned in the stone work (3950-3528 B.C.). The grave use is certified by a bone date (3950-3190 B. C.) from a single skeleton, that of a dwarf, found partially in situ. A pedestal based dish found in the sepulchral area confirms that the passage grave was in use during the Middle Neolithic II. The mid-neolithic environment is mainly defined by anthracological analysis. The results show selective use of large pines and oaks. The presence of ash shows use of valley bottom resources. Hazel and Pomaceaous trees mark the transition to the agrarian space in which we find cereal growing (wheat), and classical animal husbandry (Bovidae, Ovicapridae and pigs) in a not well defined area.