Le cimetière mérovingien

The Pays de Rais (now Pays de Retz) was occupied by man very early on. Palaeolithic and Neolithic remains have been found throughout the area.
The Gallo-Roman aqueduct and the villa at Arthon-en-Retz indicate the start of urban development.

The Merovingian necropolis
Discovered by chance, the Merovingian cemetery at Chéméré has been known since the end of the 19th century (report of a meeting of the Société archéologique de Nantes et de Loire-Inférieure in 1880 mentioning tombs).
It has not been the subject of systematic archaeological excavations.
However, the site has been regularly excavated since 1967 (the excavation of a sand quarry uncovered some bones).
A major archaeological campaign was carried out in 1988 and 1989.
However, the limestone and sandy soil is not conducive to excavation: the remains have been damaged by erosion.
The last excavation campaign took place in 2008.

The Merovingian necropolis (late 6th - 7th century) covers more than 7,700 m². It occupies the localities of Brigandin and Motte Hiver.
The site is densely populated and has several superimposed tombs.

More than 400 tombs dating back to the early Middle Ages have been unearthed during various archaeological digs:

67 tombs excavated in 1967 and 1969
177 tombs excavated in 1988 and 1989
172 tombs excavated in 2008.

These are the usual graves. The burial of the dead in prepared pits or shell limestone sarcophagi bears witness to Merovingian funeral practices.

A village population
Following the various excavations, researchers analysed the skeletons found. They were able to determine the sex and age of certain individuals. The population appears to be fairly old. Pathologies (hip dysplasia) were observed in several individuals. Family links were established. These must have been inward-looking villagers. The funerary furnishings are modest (clothing accessories, ornaments).

Today, the cemetery is no longer visible due to the construction of detached houses.

Did you know?
Various items of jewellery and metal clothing have been found during archaeological digs. Remains discovered in 1967 and 1969 are preserved at the Musée du Pays de Retz in Bourgneuf-en-Retz (Villeneuve-en-Retz):


a bronze belt buckle,
bronze buckles,
a bronze buckle plate,
a skull,
and a jaw.