In an ambitious archaeological endeavor, Beaumont Abbey, located in Indre-et-Loire, France, has been fully excavated, revealing layers of history dating back 800 years. This monumental 14-month project, led by Philippe Blanchard of the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap), has unearthed the complete structure of the medieval and modern abbey, providing unparalleled insights into its extensive and varied past.
A Unique Archaeological Endeavor
According to the report published on INRAP, the excavation of Beaumont Abbey stands out in European archaeology as the first project to completely uncover an entire abbey, including its church, cloister, gardens, cemeteries, and surrounding structures.
Philippe Blanchard highlights the exceptional nature of this undertaking, stating, “This is the first time in Europe that the entire space of an abbey, including the gardens, has been excavated in one go.” The comprehensive nature of this excavation has allowed researchers to trace the abbey’s evolution from its foundation in 1002 to its closure in 1790, when the Benedictines were expelled, and even earlier, revealing remnants of the village of Beaumont from the 9th and 10th centuries beneath the abbey.
Orthophotographic montage of the excavated remains of Beaumont Abbey, France. (© D. Godignon/ Inrap)
Discoveries Spanning Centuries
The findings at Beaumont Abbey provide a vivid picture of medieval and early modern religious life. The excavation uncovered the abbey church’s three…
