Archaeologists have found the remains of a small sugar refinery dating from the 19th century on the Domaine de la Roseraye in Sainte-Rose. A planned archaeological excavation was launched in 2015 when the estate’s owners decided to redevelop the site.

From 1815, sugar production gradually began to dominate farming on Bourbon. Sainte-Rose was home to a succession of eleven sugar refineries between 1817 and 1880, including five that were running simultaneously between 1831 and 1834, one of which was the Domaine de la Roseraye, which opened in 1827.

Archaeological programme

Archaeological investigations in 2015 and 2016 uncovered, described and recorded the still-visible remains of a mechanical system in Area 2 used to mill the sugarcane and process sugar juice. The surrounding area was also excavated to understand how and why it was installed.

A brick combustion structure with a vaulted arch opening to insert wood for fuel was found in Area 1. A second structure, perpendicular to the axis of the furnace, communicates with it through a second brick arch which has now collapsed.

A hybrid mechanical system

Archaeologists excavated the system’s three components: the balance beam steam engine, transmission and sugar mill. They found evidence of mechanical adjustments that revealed how the machines had been intelligently adapted to conditions on the island.

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