Camp celtique de la Bure, Archaeological site in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France.
Camp celtique de la Bure is perched on a sandstone ridge that rises 200 meters (650 feet) above the Meurthe Valley, occupying about 3 hectares. The site displays remains of defensive walls and trenches from different periods, constructed with sandstone blocks and wooden reinforcements.
Human settlement here spans from Neolithic times through the Roman period, as revealed by excavations conducted between 1964 and 1986. The successive layers of occupation show how this ridge remained important for defense and control across many centuries.
The site reveals how Gallic and Roman communities coexisted here through the artifacts they left behind, including coins, tools, and sculptures of gods. These objects now tell the story of two worlds meeting on the same hilltop.
Forest paths lead to the site from the hamlets of La Pêcherie and Marzelay, with a twenty-minute walk from Col de la Crenée providing the main approach. Sturdy footwear is advisable as the trails can be muddy or steep, depending on recent weather.
The murus gallicus, a distinctive Gallic building technique using stone and timber, remains visible in the walls and shows how defenders of that era built fortifications. This construction method is rare to observe in such good condition and reveals the engineering knowledge of ancient Gallic builders.
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