 The
location was first excavated by the archaeologist G. VASEUR from
Marseille, then by the local scientist G. COMBARNOUS between 1925
and 1980. The archaeological association GREC performed researches
of the geological layers (Stratigraphy) in 1985 which has put large
emphasis on Courtinals as a geologial site for prehistory and the
Early Ages. In 1991 further excavations and reconstructions were
led by Prof. Dominique GARCIA from the University of Aix-en-Provence.
The scientific superintendence was performed by the French “Direction
des Antiquités” of Montpellier and thanks to their
kind approval the reconstructions could be performed. A cabin from
the Bronze Age still in very good condition could be excavated.
The discoveries from all over the park are very numerous: a ceramic
stove, flintstones, fireplaces, artefacts, amphorae and vases, a
razor made of bronze, buttons and buckles.
All these discoveries are exhibited in the archaeologial Museum
in Lattes, in the Museum of Marseille and a small number of the
findings in the museum area in the courtesy building of Courtinals.
The settlement Courtinals differs a lot from traditional inhabitations
in the mountains and from the scarce settlements in the countryside
known in the south of Gallia. The inhabitants of Courtinals used
a sort of natural  fortification
for their protection, an almost completed ring of rocks with a height
of 20 to 40 meters. Nevertheless the settlement was visually linked
to their guards situated on Pic de Vissou in the south, on Mont
Liausson in the north and with the Ramasse in the east. The first
doubtlessly verified proofs of inhabitations originate from the
Mid Stone Age (3.500 BC) until Early Ages ( Ends of Bronze Age and
Iron Age) around 350 BC. At that time the village was suddenly deserted
by their inhabitants leaving behind all constructions and objects.
Therefore this location’s ground is esp. interesting for archaeological
researches, as the ancient village is still physically existing
more or less complete in a depths up to 2 meters. 2 meters.
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Reconstruction of a calcolithic
building in the Hérault |
The inhabitants of Courtinals probably worked in the Mines of
Cabrières only 3 kilometers away. They dug for copper,
processed it together with tin into bronze. Active tradings
with the Phoenicians in Agde started. The unprocessed bronze
was changed against finished products, like iron equipments,
wine in amphorae and fabrics.
There are still other reasons for selecting this location :
the enduring water springs created by the Dolomite less than
200 meters away,  the
gorges of the Cirque forming natural enclosures for their cattle
and the Mediterranean climate, which is especially mild in this
area. |
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Courtinals 
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