Emmanuelle du BOUËTIEZ, Benoît CLAVEL, Fabienne RAVOIRE MEDIEVAL AND MODERN REMAINS DISCOVERED ON THE HOTEL DE BEAUVAIS SITE IN PARIS (4th ARRONDISSEMENT)

Abstract

Between 1995 and 2002, archaeological watching briefs accompanied restoration work on the Hôtel de Beauvais in Paris’ 4th district. Observed occupation layers earlier than the 17th century building comprised scattered earlymedieval deposits and late-medieval pits and foundations. Of major interest for the site, on account of the finds assemblage, was a latrine-pit dating from the second third of the 15th century. Pottery evidence provides precious information for this poorly-documented period in Paris and underlines the privileged social status of the occupants. Animal remains also pertain to dietary habits typical of an advantaged milieu receiving quality provisions and having recourse to certain rare or exceptional products such as dolphin. The latrines could be those of the town-house belonging to the Cistercian community from Chaalis Abbey which occupied the property from the 13th century to the end of the 15th century. Restoration work also allowed limited observation of the Petit Beauvais mansion, destroyed at the beginning of the 19th century.

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