The islands of the Loire, submerged most of the year, are currently the subject of archaeological excavations on the instructions of the State, on the occasion of a rebalancing of the river bed carried out by the Waterways of France. In the upstream part of Coton Island, near Ancenis-Saint-Géréon (Loire-Atlantique), teams from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) have unearthed at least nine wrecks of the XVIIe and 18e centuries. Their position, under and around stone structures, suggests that the ships may have been sunk to protect the island from erosion. These flat-bottomed oak boats, called soles, could carry various raw materials back and forth, upstream with large square sails. Near Poulas Island, these are fisheries of the twelfthe century that have been unearthed, laid out in a W to trap salmon going up the river and eels going down it.
To contribute
The contribution area is reserved for subscribers.
Subscribe to access this discussion space and contribute to the discussion.