50 years of excavations and research
And why the Museum of Prehistory was created following 50 years of excavations and research
In 2001, the museum opened its doors to the public for the first time, following decades of excavations in the Verdon Gorge canyon by passionate researchers and prehistorians. These archaeological campaigns revealed an invaluable body of evidence of man's presence in Provence, dating back one million years.
Jean Gagnepain (1961-2010) a été le premier directeur du musée. Il a participé à toutes les étapes de préfiguration. On le voit ici lors d'une campagne de fouilles de la grotte de Guenfouda (Maroc).
Charles Lagrand (1920-2004) était spécialiste de l'Âge des métaux et des périodes historiques. Cet archéologue fait partie avec Henry de Lumley et Jean Courtin de l’équipe de chercheurs du CNRS qui ont fouillé les gorges du Verdon.
Au début des années 1960, le préhistorien Jean Courtin démarre un important chantier de fouilles dans le canyon de Baudinard et plus spécifiquement dans la grotte de l’Église.
De 1957 à 1971, le Verdon a été un immense chantier archéologique. A Sainte Croix du Verdon, l'Abri du Capitaine a fait partie des nombreux sites fouillés par les archéologues.
A partir de 1988, Jean Gagnepain, premier directeur du musée entreprend 20 ans après Henry de Lumley, une campagne de fouilles dans le grotte de la Baume Bonne. Il est accompagné par Claire Gaillard.
Sous la direction de Jean Gagnepain, le musée a participé à des programmes de recherches. Sur la photo, une opération archéologique menée sur le plateau de Valensole.
Le préhistorien Jean Courtin dans la grotte de Fontbrégoua en 1986, lors de la découverte des fameux crânes "cannibalisés"
Over sixty archaeological sites were excavated in the Verdon over a fifty-year period
During the 1960s, CNRS researchers Henry de Lumley, Jean Courtin and Charles Lagrand led excavations in the Verdon before dams were built and Sainte-Croix Lake was created. Before this, father and son team Bernard and Bertrand Bottet had already identified numerous clues pointing to the presence of man in the Verdon, and Baume Bonne cave in particular, during prehistoric times.
Thousands of archaeological artefacts were discovered in numerous caves in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var departments. These were mainly lithic (stone) objects, but also included human and animal bones, ceramics and metal furniture.
What is the status of research today?
Research on the collections: the museum's archaeological artefacts are studied by numerous researchers. With new technologies such as genetics and DNA, their working methods have progressed. Knowledge is being updated via this progress, producing new hypotheses and keys to understanding for the history of the evolution of man.
Archaeological campaigns
Despite decades of excavations, scientists still only have a partial knowledge of the Verdon Gorge canyon. Of this area, which extends over more than 20km, only the lower gorges have been explored.
In 2007, prospection campaigns began in the Moustiers-Sainte-Marie area, and these are partially ongoing.
The Verdon Gorge still holds many secrets!