An ancient villa in Pernant (Aisne)

- FR- EN
Western boundary wall. In the foreground, the layout is composed of large limest
Western boundary wall. In the foreground, the layout is composed of large limestone blocks lined up in a row, set against the enclosing wall. Could it correspond to an access to the pars rustica courtyard? © D. Delaporte, Inrap
5 km west of Soissons, in the commune of Pernant (Aisne), an excavation carried out from August to December 2024 uncovered part of an ancient villa. Some protohistoric remains were also uncovered, as well as the grave of a German soldier from the First World War.

The villa ’s structural elements

The discovery of the villa is part of the rich and well-documented context of the Aisne valley. In addition to its proximity to Soissons/AugustaSuessionum, capital of the city of the Suessiones, the site is located near an important ancient road and a navigable river. These factors were probably behind the creation and development of the settlement. Thanks to its position at the bottom of a slope, the site is in a very good state of preservation, especially as no later occupation has disturbed the remains.

The 5,700 m² excavation focused on the north-western corner of the villa, corresponding to part of the pars rustica. The excavation did not reveal the villa’s total extension, but an aerial survey carried out in the 1970s showed that it covered several hectares to the east and south.

The villa is organized according to a classic layout for the region, with an inner courtyard surrounded by an 80-metre-long enclosing wall. Constructed in large-scale bonding of locally sourced limestone blocks with sandstone blocks, it closes off the north-western corner of the courtyard. On the west side, a 9 m-long solid limestone structure was built against the enclosing wall. This may have been the threshold of an entrance to the courtyard.

Initial observations of the finds suggest that the main occupation period was from the 1st to the early 4th century AD.

Remarkably well-preserved buildings

Two rectangular buildings, located in the continuity of the surrounding wall, were studied. They provide a wealth of information on the activities carried out within the settlement. Their well-preserved foundations show that they were high-quality, all-stone constructions.

Building A, located on the northeast side, is at least 15 m long and just over 10 m wide, with an internal surface area of at least 131 m². Excavation revealed the existence of a first building on load-bearing posts, with the same orientation, but narrower than its hardened successor. Two massive limestone blocks in the longitudinal axis of the building served as the base for supporting posts for the roof structure and a probable converted attic. Three massive buttresses exceeding 2 m in length were built after the erection of Building A, resting on the north eaves wall. Did the building show signs of structural weakness, necessitating these buttresses? These imposing features are indicative of the appearance of the villa’s farm buildings.


Building B measures 17 m by 9 m and is completely uncluttered. It is divided into two rooms of equal surface area, separated by a dividing wall not linked to the gutter walls. Its foundations are 1.20 m deep. The archaeological levels preserved inside Building B are complex. Several combustion structures were excavated, notably in the southern room. A wide variety of artefacts have been found in these levels, including axes, gouges, hipposandals, coins and slag.

Other combustion structures have been excavated within the two buildings. These may have been domestic ovens and perhaps a forge, a hypothesis yet to be confirmed by further research. Thus, the functions and activities of these two buildings appear to differ. Architectural observations and furniture studies will enable us to characterize them.

Other habitat remains

A dense network of ditches was uncovered both inside and outside the courtyard. These ditches, which are sparse in archaeological material, follow the general pattern of ancient occupation. Stratigraphic observations point to an origin prior to the construction of the stone-founded buildings and the enclosure wall.


Two wells are located side by side, along the western boundary wall outside the courtyard. Stratigraphically sealed by later development, they may have an early origin, like the ditch network. In the same location, several ovens were unearthed; the furnishings of these ovens point to a late Late Imperial date.

The grave of a German soldier from the First World War

The grave, unarmed but with remains of shoes and around 50 clothing buttons, was excavated following archaeological protocols. Several personal objects accompanied the deceased: a rosary with a silver cross, a pocket mirror, fragments of paper bearing Germanic typography, five coins, a comb, a Swiss army knife and a pair of scissors. The soldier’s identification plate and a hallmarked wedding ring will probably help to identify him.

The body and effects were handed over to the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge (VDK). If descendants are found, it will be possible to rebury the soldier on German soil, in accordance with the family’s wishes. If no descendants are known, or if it is impossible to identify the soldier, the VDK will deposit the remains in a German military cemetery in eastern France.


Developer: BDL Promotion
Scientific supervision: Service régional de l’archéologie (Drac Hauts-de-France)
Archaeological research: Inrap

Scientific manager: David Delaporte, Inrap