The 50,000 archaeological sites in France listed for the first time in an atlas

50,000 archaeological sites in France listed in an atlas Some 50,000 archaeological sites in France, from the Paleolithic to the contemporary period, representing a million years of human occupation of France and Overseas, have been listed for the first time in an atlas which was released on November 23 in bookstores. The Archaeological Atlas of France (Tallandier editions) is the result of an investigation which brings together for the general public all the “soil archives”, brought to light in particular by the excavations of the National Institute of Archaeological and Preventive Research (Inrap). “Since 2001, Inrap has intervened to save archaeological sites before their destruction, while each year 700 square kilometers are developed in France. Over the past 20 years, we have identified 50,000 sites,” explained Inrap President Dominique Garcia during a press conference.

Around a hundred original maps have been produced to tell the history of France through its archaeological sources and heritage riches. “Most often, what reaches the general public is what is visible and preserved. We want to show the invisible heritage beneath our feet,” added Dominique Garcia. The maps point to knowledge but “also white areas” to “question, without praising a national narrative”. The atlas opens with a map of Africa, the cradle of humanity, to follow the arrival of Sapiens on the current territory, and retrace their first artistic works. It ends with the Second World War, with a passage through colonial and overseas France. The atlas focuses in particular on the archeology of Guyana (1795-1953) to study slavery, the penal colony, gold panning but also the population of a large part of America. The authors, underlines Dominique Garcia, wanted to “show the overseas space for what it is in its own history, and not only from the moment France set foot there”.