8 rue Évariste de Parny

A planned excavation was organised in 2013 at 8 rue Evariste de Parny in La Possession. Discovered during a survey, this site revealed the remains of a modest habitat.

The excavated structure

The exposed remains correspond to the foundations of parallel walls built from blocks of basalt and joined with lime. The southwest corner was built from a large block of natural basalt flush with the ground at this point and on which the masonry rested. The northwest corner was fashioned from a substantial square block with a cut step on the upper corner.

Findings from the test pit

Several archaeological levels were discovered. The level corresponding to the wall foundations does not suggest the ground was specially prepared for construction. Archaeologists found several fragments of kaolin pipe, a fluted glass flask, iron nails and pieces of ceramic ware. The traffic level contained finds dating from the 19^th century to the late 1970s. The rammed earth floor may have been cobbled in places with small round and flat pebbles with a module of around 10 cm.

The structures and finds including an iron spoon, a metal cauldron foot and ceramic sherds from kitchen or tableware suggest this was a modest habitat. The building was probably a ‘case’ or cottage, similar to a calbanon.

A ceramic sherd from an object produced on a wheel and incised with a chevron pattern was a rare discovery in Réunion since it probably originated from outside Europe and reflects a West African ceramic tradition.