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Saint-Acheul is a district in the south-east of Amiens. In
the middle of the XIXth century a number of gravel pits were
opened up to supply Amiens' many building sites. This is where
they found, for the first time, in their original alluvium
stratum of the Somme, sharpened flints, along with the bones
of large extinct animals (rhinoceros, elephants...).
As a result, Saint-Acheul gave its name to the Acheulean,
a period of the Lower Palaeolithic, referring to a particular
method of stone-cutting, characterised by bifaces. Acheulean
sites have been identified in Europe, Africa and Asia covering
the period between 1.2 million and 300,000 BC.
History of the excavations
In 1854, Dr Rigollot published a study on the discoveries
of sharpened axes made by the geologist Dutilleux in the Saint-Acheul
quarries. He acknowledged the validity of Boucher de Perthes'
theories about the age of man, which he had contested vigorously
in the past. This work was of great interest to English archaeologists
and geologists.
On 27 April 1859, J. Prestwich and J. Evans came to the site
and photographed for the first time a biface in its original
setting.
In September, A. Gaudry and his wife took it in turns to
stand guard round the clock at the Fréville gravel pit to
prevent any fraud. The workmen employed at the digs were used
to receiving money when they found flints in the deepest layers.
They were quite prepared to sharpen flints themselves and
place them in the lower layers of the quarries. In eight days
the Gaudrys found nine axes. An report on these discoveries
was given to the Academy of Science in the October.
The number of digs quickly grew. In 20 years, from 1860 to
1880, around 20,000 sharpened flints were collected at Saint-Acheul.
Whether they were genuine bifaces or stones sharpened by the
workmen themselves, they found their way into museums and
private collections throughout the world.
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term "Acheulean" was suggested for the first time in 1872
by Gabriel de Mortillet. A stratigraphic analysis was
carried out scientifically in 1904 by Victor Commont,
and continued after 1918 by Abbot Breuil.
The
richest quarries, situated at the bottom of the rue
de Cagny, had already been filled in when Victor Commont
began his research. Urbanisation continued after the
last war beyond the outer boulevards, covering over
the other sites. Only the old quarries of Bultel and
Tellier were protected. Listed as a historic monument
in 1947, they were renovated in 1998 and are now called
the "Saint-Acheul Archaeological Garden". Photo: Roger
Agache-Ministry of Culture.
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Saint-Acheul Archaeological Garden
The renovation works, carried out in 1998 over an area of
1.8 ha, added the following facilites:
• a reception area, christened the "Victor Commont room",
at the entrance to the site, for educational workshops and
temporary exhibitions.
• a landscaped path, the "Time Trail" looks back at the history
of man from the present day to 450,000 years ago. Every step
you take covers 1000 years !
• at the end of the path, information boards tell you about
Acheulean Man. Called Pre-Neanderthal, he was a hunter-gatherer
who came to cut flints on the banks of the Somme where the
raw material was plentiful. Even though he lived alongside
elephants and rhinoceros, he preferred to hunt deer, aurochs
and horses. The only evidence left of his presence there are
the sharpened flints, or bifaces, which served as tools for
cutting wood or cutting up game.
• a 19 metre-high observation tower gives you a better view
of the extent of the Somme Valley northwards and the formation
of the terraces made by the digging in the valley. The old
section has been restored to enable you to see the different
strata of sedimentary deposits accumulated during the Quaternary
period.
Practical info
Opening
times
Open from 02/01 to 22/12 (except Saturdays
and Sunday mornings), 9 am - 12:30pm and 2 pm - 5:30 pm (10
am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 7 pm from 01/04 to 31/08).
Prices
Unaccompanied visit.
Guided visit (upon reservation) :
Adults : 5.50 €
Children (under 16) : 3 €
Concessions: 4 €
St Acheul Archaeological Garden
10, rue Raymond Gourdain
80090 AMIENS
Tel / Fax : +33 (0)3 22 47 82 57
E-mail : c.lamond@amiens-metropole.com
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