Inventory and Assessment of Geoarchaeosites in the Middle Eure Valley (Paris Basin, France): An Integrated Approach to Geoarchaeological Heritage
Théophile PIAU, UMR 8586 PRODIG, Université de Paris, France
François BÉTARD, UMR 8586 PRODIG, Université de Paris, France
Fabienne DUGAST, UMR 8167 Orient & Méditerranée, CNRS, France
For the last decade, scientific literature is replete with scattered case studies on geoarchaeological heritage (e.g. Taha et al. 2020; Cruz-Pérez et al. 2021). However, methodological guidelines are lacking for inventorying and assessing a “geoarchaeosite” collection (Fouache & Rasse 2009) for heritage conservation and/or tourism purposes. The aim of this presentation is to propose an innovative and integrated methodology for the inventory and assessment of geoarchaeological heritage (Piau et al. 2021) with an example of application in the middle Eure Valley (Paris Basin, France). In this work, we propose to use the concept of “geoarchaeosite” as a contraction of geoarchaeological sites, i.e. sites of particular relevance for the understanding of human-environment interactions at the Quaternary or historical time scale. In our approach, the geomorphological and archaeological components of a site have the same level of importance, contrary to the classical approaches on geomorphosites which consider the archaeological interest of a site as an “additional” value (Reynard et al. 2016). In the study area, the results provide a selection of 24 geoarchaeosites with contrasted scientific values, from sites of international (Saint-Prest, Chaudon) and national rank (Chartres Cathedral and its historical quarry, the Aqueduct of Maintenon) to more confidential sites of regional and local interest, with various degrees of vulnerability and potential use. A network analysis of “disconnected geoarcheosites” according to chronological and functional relationships contributes to improving the overall scientific value of the geoarchaeological heritage. Among the prospects that are emerging in the scope of promotional activities we see the interest of building a digital geoarchaeoheritage platform with a collaborative/participatory aim in order to reinforce heritage ownership by local residents and stakeholders.
Mots clés : Geoarchaeological Heritage|Eure Valley|Paris Basin|Integrated Approach
A103566TP