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Heute
und Morgen
So
steh ich, steinern, zur
Ferne,
in die ich dich führte:
Von
Flugsand
Ausgewaschen
die beiden
Höhlen
am untern Stirnsaum.
Eräugtes
Dunkel
darin.
Durchpocht
Von
schweigsam geschwungenen Hämmern
Die
Stelle,
Wo
mich das Flügelaug streifte.
Dahinter,
Ausgespart
in der Wand,
Die
Stufe,
Drauf
das Erinnerte hockt.
Hierher
Sickert,
von Nächten beschenkt,
Eine
Stimme,
Aus
der du den Trunk schöpfst.
Paul
Celan
Ich
bin ein Hirte.
Die
Herde sind meine Gedanken
Und
meine Gedanken allesamt Sinnesempfindungen.
Ich
denke mit Augen und Ohren
Und
Händen und Füssen
Und
Nase und Mund.
An
eine Blume denken heisst, sie sehen und riechen,
Und
eine Frucht verzehren heisst, ihren Sinn erfassen.
Wenn
ich daher an einem heissen Tage,
Den
ich so sehr geniesse, mich traurig fühle,
Mich
der Länge nach auf den Rasen lege
Und
die erhitzten Augen schliesse,
Spüre
ich meinen ganzen Körper,
Kenne
die Wahrheit und bin beglückt.
Alberto
Caeiro – Fernando Pessoa
Summary
basin Bibracte
This
publication presents the results of the first campaign of excavation, carried
out in 1987 and 1988 by the French-Spanish team organised by the Universidad
Complutense de Madrid, in the course of the International Programme of Mont
Beuvray.
Owing to its interest and importance, it was considered necessary to report the
discovery of a monumental basin at the earliest possible opportunity. This
account with the discussion and evaluation of this important monument as
contribution to existing knowledge of Gallo-Roman archaeology and, in particular,
of the oppidum of Bibracte.
- This
undertaking has been carried out within the International Programme of Mont
Beuvray. The ample collaboration of all the participating teams has made
these tasks possible and, as a result, has allowed them all to profit from
the ethos which guided the conception and realization of this study.
- The
present investigations have taken place within the long French-Spanish
tradition of collaboration in the field of archaeology. For that, the
Spanish-French team has been directed jointly by an archaeologist from each
country, with participating students from several universities as well as
investigators and archaeologists from different professional institutions.
- The
campaigns of 1987 and 1988 were carried out in the Pature du Couvent, a
level area situated in the middle of the oppidum, 500 m from the Porte du
Rebout, which is crossed by the main route of access to the oppidum. In the
centre of this area a monumental basin was found surrounded by a large paved
area. This basin is oval in shape, (10.48 m by 3.65 m) and is built with
granite blocks. These survive to a height of 1.03 m, and 4 rows of them have
been preserved that are the best example of construction in Bibracte from
the point of view of architectural technique.
- One
of the principal foci of the Pature du Couvent excavation has been the
examination of the cobbled zone, which corresponds to the major roadway
across the oppidum. The boundaries and features of this structure have been
tested by trial pits, which have been followed up by further campaigns
conducted by others teams.
The stratigraphic sequence varies from sector to sector. The central
excavation area is quite shallow and lies over a geological substratum which
had been previously artificially levelled. A pit was dug in it in
preparation for the construction of the monumental basin. Within the basin a
flooring of granitic sand waste was distinguishable (level 6) and some
waterproof clay (level S) similar to that filling up the foundation trench,
a level of debris and rubbish (4) and another of alluvial filling (3),
detritus from the cobbled surface (level 2), under the surface humus (level
1). In the cobbled area, over the bedrock, there were several levels
including a layer of earth covered by another layer of stones and amphora
fragments.
- The
finds are of little interest, but are important by virtue of their
relationship to the structures found, especially the basin. Their study has
a bearing upon similar finds at Mont Beuvray and elsewhere but the results
published here must be considered provisional, until a monographic study
within the general programme is completed.
The terra sigillata and the grey wheel-turned wares are the most significant
elements of the assemblage. These are treated in appendices included in this
report.
- The
excavation data and associated finds suggest that the disuse of the
monumental basin be dated to the last decade B.C.
The lack of available parallels makes the date of construction of the basin
and its surrounding pavement levels difficult to establish. Some
non-definitive stratigraphic evidence suggests a chronology towards the
beginning of the last third of the first century B.C. However, a slightly
earlier date, towards 50 B.C. may be considered on the basis of historical
evidence and even an earlier date cannot be excluded. The fine state of
conservation of the blocks shows that the use of the basin cannot have
continued for very long.
- The
analysis of the monumental basin has revealed a series of technical features
of great interest, and opens up new avenues with regard to Celtic studies
and GalloRoman archaeology.
The basin is made of granite and a careful system of stereotomy which
betrays monumental effort rather than accurate knowledge of carving
techniques. On the contrary, the waterproofing has been well finished with
clay sealing of the bottom, the foundation trench and the grooves on the
blocks situated on top of the pavement.
The layout of the basin was modulated by means of two circles intersecting
at 1/5 of their diameter, thus forming a Pythagoras triangle in their axis.
The measurements show a length/breadth/height ratio of 3/ 1/0.5, which is
equivalent to 36/12/6 units of a measure length or foot, the value of which
has been identified as 30.41 cm.
It has also been determined that the axis of the basin coincides with the
ortho of the winter solstice and the setting of the summer solstice.
Moreover, in keeping with this orientation, at the winter solstice the sun
rises and sets over the two highest summits of Bibracte, le Porrey and le
Teureau de la Roche, which shows a topo-astronomical preoccupation and can
be analyzed in connection with other relevant details within the oppidum.
- Considerations
of excavation data and the detailed analysis of its structure allow us to
propose a reconstruction. There would have been a maximum of four rows (at
the end), of blocks below the level of the cobbled surface; at the N. end
two courses of stonework would have projected above this surface. The outlet
is readily identifiable in the stonework, at the N. end, under the cobbled
surface: it opens onto a drainage channel and has been examined for 30 m. It
would have been opened from time to time to allow the basin to be cleaned
out. An overflow is suggested by details of the stonework at the N. end of
the basin. This reconstruction is based in the idea that the basin served as
a fountain, with the water flowing out from the N. elevation of the
estructure. It is suggested that the original water level in the basin was
the fifth course of the stonework. The basin must have been supplied with
water via a conduit at its S. end; this has not been identified as yet. It
is most unlikely that ground water would have emerged at the position of the
basin itself; the existence of the clay seal in the hollow in which the
estructure is set makes such a hypothesis untenable.
- From
a technical point of view, the architectural elements are comparable to
otherGallo-Roman structures which they perfectly fit into despite its
originality that starts with the small basin in the villa of sector PC of
Beuvray.
Certain details of the cutting of the stones display Mediterranean
influences. Contrasting, on the other hand, the waterproofing technique, the
inlet and outlet systems, etc., are elements equally known from both Celtic
and Gallo-Roman world. The most immediate parallels are to be found in the
early excavations at Beuvray. But, its relation with other Gallo-Roman stone
basins is obvius, as, for example, with the basin at Argentomagus with which
it shows particular similarities. The basin of Beuvray must be considered
the oldest known example.
As regards the modular layout, this is comparable with the Celtic tradition
of drawing by compasses, as shown by the analysis of certain decorated
bronze pieces like the plaque from Paillart.
At the same time, the 30'4 cm unit identified, can be considered to be a
Celtic foot, so far identified only at Manching.
- There
is another series of analyses that are more speculative, but which
nevertheless seem necessary in order to try to establish the functions and
cultural significance of the monument. In this sense, its practical function
as a source of water should be distinguished from its ideological function
as a monument that entails a political and religious significance. This is
very difficult to unravel, but is nevertheless a faithful reflection of a
symbiosis of Celtic ideas and the classical Mediterranean world.
Firstly, we can speculate about the relation between the layout of the basin
and Celtic knowledge of geometry mentioned in classical and medieval
literary sources. Likewise, its topo-astronomical aspect can be related to
the practice of astronomy among the Celts, partly conducted in order to
determine their calendar, a practice well established after the discovery of
the calendar of Coligny. These practices may explain the orientation of the
monument and permit to establish a relationship between this information and
the documentary evidence from the megalithic sphere and the classical world.
Although it may also be considered speculative, it is very important to
understand how the above mentioned topo-astronomical orientation and the
corresponding relations whith the calendar explain the ideological and
functional character of the basin, which, in the final analysis, are the key
to its understanding. In this sense, the basin of Bibracte must be
considered a mundus, in accordance with the omphallic traditions well
attested in both the Celtic and the classical world. The religious
significance of the basin can thus be derived. Given its central location
within the settlement, it can then. be argued that this feature played a
significant part in defining the urban character of the settlement.
- The
early chronology of the monumental basin of Bibracte permits it to be
considered the beginning of a series of monuments widely attested in
GalloRoman architecture, which offer a symbiosis of Celtic and Roman
elements. If this offers perfect documentary evidence in the sphere of
material culture, in the same way, its significance must also be considered
from an ideological point of view.
Although
the great interest of this discovery is evident in so many aspects, it is also
clear that it will need further research for more complete understariding. We
hope that the experience gained by the International Programme of Mont Beuvray
will be of help and inspiration in that context.
Translated by E. Pascual, ICAI-ICADE, Madrid
http://www.ucm.es/info/preh/complutum/
 
dolmen en megaliten
Frankrijk
http://www.stonepages.com/france/france.html
http://www.megalithomania.com/show_hi-res.php
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