Iron Age archaeological discoveries at the Dune du Pilat, Gironde, France, Digi Mart USA News (Gironde, France): Between September 21 and October 9, 2026, archaeological excavations were carried out at the Dune du Pilat major site in Gironde. Researchers and volunteer archaeologists made several discoveries during the dig.
In the last part of the salt-marsh site, excavators found a pit containing a significant number of ceramic fragments, including a ceramic vessel that is archaeologically complete from base to neck, which is relatively rare. Archaeologist Philippe Jacques described the find in a video published by the Syndicat mixte de la dune du Pilat.
The team also recovered evidence of fishing activity. Items include a net float, a net weight stone, and very likely fragments of a shuttle used to repair nets.
Jacques said these are important because, until now, no remains showing fishing activity during the Iron Age had been found on this part of the coastline. The period dates to between 800 and 700 BCE in Europe.
Finally, north of the salt-marsh area, researchers identified the remains of a habitation area, including postholes and pits that indicate at least one building is still buried in the eastern part of the dune. Jacques said this area will be excavated in the coming years.
