On the seafront in Saint-Denis, in the Butor district, remains attesting to maritime activities in the 19th century were identified by surveys in 2016 and test pits in 2017.
The Marine du Butor (Marine Richard)
Around 1860, Charles Richard, entrepreneur, decided to build a marine in Le Butor. According to a map dating from 1878, the marine had three longhouses opposite which was a quadrangular building parallel to the coast. It was surrounded by an enclosure wall and a metal landing stage ran one hundred metres into the natural harbour.
During the second half of the 19th century, the construction and operation of the Marine du Butor led to the growth of the local district. In the late 19th century, the buildings fell into disuse and were sold.
Archaeological test pits
During the surveys, vestiges flush with the surface of the embankment below the health trail were discovered and this is where the test pits were dug. The structure uncovered corresponded to the northwest corner of the enclosure wall. The double-faced wall with a rounded corner was built from large blocks of cut basalt stone joined with coral limestone and sand mortar.
Promoting the site and research
Authorised by the Department of Underwater and Submarine Archaeological Research (DRASSM), this operation formed part of a scientific programme led by the Confrérie des gens de la mer in 2016 on the maritime constructions between Saint-Denis and Sainte-Suzanne.
