The site of the "Camp de Macquenoise" is known since the 18th century, next to the Belgian border, to the north of the national forest of Saint-Michel (Aisne). It was first identified as a millstone quarry in the second half of the 19th century, and have been excavated in two campaigns in 2021 and 2022. A set of grinding tools roughouts, stone percussion tools and sandstone cutting waste provided a good overview of the grinding tools production process and a chronological framework for this activity. This quern manufacturing predates the generalization of the rotary mill during the Mid to Late La Tène period, and the shapes recorded show parallels with objects known in the region from the Late Hallstatt - Early La Tène period. This chronological framework is supported by the observation of metal tool impacts on the roughouts. Traces of heating on the cutting edge and on some blocks also suggest extraction and cutting by temperature shock and percussion.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2023
