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Conference

French

ID: <

2268/235251

>

Where these data come from
Recent research on Germigny-des-Prés (Loiret, France).

Abstract

restored in the 19th century, the Germigny-des-Prés church is currently the only one in the north of the Alps with alto-medieval mosaics. The building of worship, built at the beginning of the 19th century, was part of the Villa of Théodulphe, close advisor to Charlemagne, abbeé of Fleury and Bishop of Orléans. This site is therefore exceptional for more than one title. On the one hand, the church is one of the oldest in France and, despite restoration, it remains a unique testimony of the alto-medieval religious architecture. On the other hand, its mosaics allow us to address this kind of decoration and more broadly glass, which are rare materials for that time. Finally, the site should contain the remains of a Carolingian villa, the material reality of which still raises many questions. For the last three years, in collaboration with an international team, research using a variety of methods has been undertaken. Mosaics were the subject of a first macroscopic examination and pXRF In situ analyses to distinguish the original parts of the 19th century restoration. 15 glass samples were then analysed in EMP-WDS and LA-ICP-MS to identify their materials, recipes and origins. Despite the larger restoration than previously thought, original parts remain on the eastern arch. If antique coloured tessels have been re-used, the golden and silver cubes come from original production. Since there is no correspondence in the Italian world and byzantin, they could come from a specific, perhaps regional, production. Georadar surveys have been carried out at the site in order to locate potential alto-medieval remains. They highlighted the existence of structures in different locations. Inside the building, they identified the western shelf confirming the return of the original plan proposed in 1930. On the outside, they have made it possible to detect the areas on which archaeological research should focus. Finally, a 3D scan allowed an accurate record of the building. It will be used for information management and visualisation of the results of the research we hope to continue on the Germigny-des-Prés site.

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