B. COTTENCEAU
Necropolis (5th century)
Saint-Martin's Collegiate Church in Angers
The archaeological crypt reveals traces of occupation of this site during the Antiquity and also the remains of the first churches. Though nothing of these early Merovingian churches appears nowadays above the pavement level of the church, the creation of this crypt after several archaeological excavations enables the visitor to follow the early evolution of this site, from Roman wall masonry to the early churches’ foundations in the fifth century.
The remaining limestone sarcophagi and slate coffins testify to the importance of the early churches as funerary basilicas. The tombs one can see belong to two different periods of inhumation during the Merovingian era.
Necropolis (5th century)
Saint-Martin's Collegiate Church in Angers
The archaeological crypt reveals traces of occupation of this site during the Antiquity and also the remains of the first churches. Though nothing of these early Merovingian churches appears nowadays above the pavement level of the church, the creation of this crypt after several archaeological excavations enables the visitor to follow the early evolution of this site, from Roman wall masonry to the early churches’ foundations in the fifth century.
The remaining limestone sarcophagi and slate coffins testify to the importance of the early churches as funerary basilicas. The tombs one can see belong to two different periods of inhumation during the Merovingian era.