Saint-Genis-Laval: treasures from the Bronze Age

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If Lyon’s Gallo-Roman past is well known, the southwest of the metropolis remains very little explored by archaeologists. So when treasures dating back more than 3,000 years emerge at the Vallon site in Saint-Genis-Laval, it is a real event.

In Saint-Genis-Laval, Métropole de Lyon and its partners are developing a new district: the valley of Saint-Genis. There will be homes, shops, public services and the future terminus of metro B “Saint-Genis-Laval – Hôptial Lyon sud”.

A phase of archaeological excavations took place at the beginning of the construction site. They have made it possible to discover treasures dating back to the Bronze Age. In addition to the wooden foundations of the buildings and the underground grain silos, ceramicof the pins in bronzea spear tip it has been found. “But what is very intriguing, explains Clément Moreau, who led the excavations from June to September 2022, is that we found whole animals and human remains! And we are not sure if they are simple burials…”

Vestiges of the early Middle Ages, including a silver coin from the time of Charlemagne, and traces of occupation from the 17th and 18th centuries have also re-emerged. All data collected in the field is being analysed. Archaeologists have two years to submit their report to the State and the Metropolis of Lyon, who commissioned the site.