In France, found a 1000-year-old royal residence

In France, specialists from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) during excavations in the ancient abbey in the commune of Saint-Aman discovered the remains of a royal residence from the time of Robert the Pious and the ruins of an ancient glass workshop.

A summary of excavation results is available on the INRAP website. The work was carried out in the north of the country, where in 639 the abbey was founded. Archaeologists have unearthed several cultural layers in which very impressive artifacts have been found.

One of the most important finds was the remains of powerful stone buildings that were built at the end of the X century. These structures were replaced by no less powerful, but wooden structures created a century earlier. Researchers believe that they managed to find the remains of a royal residence.

Another notable find was the remains of an ancient glass workshop. Archaeologists have found several artisanal furnaces, as well as a large amount of glass - about 1.2 tons were found in one precipitate remaining after sifting.

It was discovered several hundred glass products, vessels and lamps, and glass "drops" - waste products. The workshop area was at least 70 square meters, but some data indicate that it could reach 200 "squares".

Excavations have shown that the site on which the workshop is located has been used by artisans around the 8th century. Radiocarbon dating confirmed that the glass shop began operating in the second half of the 8th century or the beginning of the 9th century.