What can an artifact tell us

How can an artifact tell you about people in the past?

Bones

Burial sites from the XI -XII century were found under the floor of the Cathedral, and tombs were found under the Chapel of Macchabes, a side section of the Cathedral.

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This QuickTime movie shows a student drawing bones from the Macchabes site. Descriptions of the examples in the display case he is studying describe Paleodemography, the science of describing ancient populations by studying the sex, age, social standing, etc. Paleodemographologists work with skeletons found in an archaeological strata to create a picture of that living population. When compared with other populations of the same time period, we can attempt to follow the development of society, and to gain an understanding of the factors which caused local variations.

bell foundfry site

Impressions

Click here to see the foundry work yard site where the Cathedral bell, Clémence, was made in 1407. (There is no sound in this movie)

See a QuickTime movie to find out more about this area of the archaeological site.

Noting information about wheat roasting

Grain

Click here to see a IVth century area where grains were stored. (There is no sound in this movie)

See a QuickTime movie to find out more about this area of the archaeological site.

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