Ruins of 13th-century Dominican monastery found in France

(ORDO NEWS) — In the French commune of Bayonne, Inrap researchers found the ruins of a Dominican monastery from the 13th-18th centuries, as well as medieval buildings surrounding it on three cultural layers.

During the excavations of the monastery, more than 80 burials were found, ranging from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as various architectural fragments of buildings that are not typical for Bayonne. Information on the progress of work is posted on the official Inrap website.

This area of ​​Bayonne was built up with buildings late in history. Monks from the Order of the Dominicans came to these lands in 1221-1222. In 1273, on the recommendation of Pope Clement IV, the brothers settled on a vast territory within the first enclosure of Petit Bayonne.

Archaeologists distinguish two types of buildings that can be attributed to the part of the monastery before the reconstruction of 1545.

They can be considered more civil buildings than monastic ones. The street was built up over three time periods. In total, four buildings built in the second half of the 17th century were discovered here.

The researchers paid the main attention to the interior of the monastery. 80 well-preserved burials were found here, including one double burial.

Most of the dead were buried in simple pits covered with plank ceilings. Richer burials located along the walls suggest that monks were buried in them.

On the territory of the monastery, scientists also found architectural elements rare for this area. Most likely, the walls of the monastery were decorated with decorations depicting various figures and leaves.

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