Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
Origin of the name Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
The site is named after the place called Sur-le-Grand-Pré, in the territory of Saint-Léonard. Its finds were used to define the « Saint-Léonard facies », later the « Saint-Léonard group ».[1][2]
Founding of Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
The site occupies a rocky ridge at 498 m, overlooking the Rhône plain in the municipality of Saint-Léonard. Middle Neolithic farmers and herders settled here several times, laid out terraces and built post houses. They mainly kept goats and sheep, grew cereals and peas, and hunted little. Their tools and raw materials show both the use of local resources and long-distance exchange. The finds, with a high proportion of rock crystal tools and pottery with fluted decoration, define a late group within the Chassey-Cortaillod-Lagozza complex.[1][2]
History of Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
4351-3371 BC. The occupation sequence includes at least eight episodes, grouped into five assemblages.[2]
5th millennium BC. Two pit burials receive exceptional grave goods.[2]
around 3700-3350 BC. Main occupation of the site, in the Middle Neolithic.[1]
after 3800 BC. The pottery makes it possible to distinguish three phases of the Saint-Léonard group.[2]
Protohistory and Roman period. Remains from these periods are laid down above the Neolithic layer, which is covered by more than a metre of soil reworked by a vineyard.[1]
1956-1962. Discovered in 1956, the site is excavated by Marc-Rodolphe Sauter until 1962.[1]
2003-2006. The extension of the MTA quarry leads to new excavations over about 365 m².[2]
Historic sites in Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
Ridge of Sur-le-Grand-Pré. A rocky ridge at 498 m overlooking the Rhône plain, in the municipality of Saint-Léonard.[1]
Remains in Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
Middle Neolithic settlement. The 2003-2006 excavations uncovered about 700 features, mostly Middle Neolithic, several terraces and four post buildings.[2]
Burials. Besides the two pit graves of the 5th millennium BC, burials of newborns are linked to some of the buildings.[2]
Finds. The chipped stone industry includes a high proportion of rock crystal tools. The pottery bears fluted decoration, and green rocks are often cut by sawing.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Léonard » (Alain Gallay, Bernard Truffer, version du 26.06.2012)
- Canton du Valais, Archéologie, F. Mariéthoz et P.-J. Rey (dir.), « Saint-Léonard Sur-le-Grand-Pré (Valais, Suisse). Fouilles de la carrière MTA 2003-2006 : un habitat alpin du Néolithique moyen », CAR 202, Archaeologia Vallesiana 26 (présentation du tome 1)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées du lieu-dit Les Grands Prés)
Other villages near Site néolithique de Sur-le-Grand-Pré
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