Paléolithique supérieur ancien (Proto-aurignacien et Aurignacien)
Occupation of the Baume Périgaud
Occupation of the Baume Périgaud Paléolithique supérieur ancien (Proto-aurignacien et Aurignacien) (≈ 1505000 av. J.-C.)
Discovery of prehistoric tools and wildlife.
An Mil (à partir de)
Mention of medieval castrum
Mention of medieval castrum An Mil (à partir de) (≈ 1049)
Château des Barbets documented in the texts.
1940
Search of the Perigaud Balm
Search of the Perigaud Balm 1940 (≈ 1940)
Start of search by Stecchi and Bottet.
2018
Protection of remains
Protection of remains 2018 (≈ 2018)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
All archaeological remains of Mount Revel, as delimited by a red line on the plan annexed to the decree (Box C 1042, 1043, 1044): inscription by order of 27 March 2018
Key figures
H. Stecchi et H. Bottet - Archaeologists
Searchers of the Baume Périgaud (1940).
Henry de Lumley - Professor and archaeologist
Repertoria 12 sites in 1971.
Origin and history
Mont Revel, culminating at 373 meters on the town of Tourrette-Levens in the Niçois Prealpes, houses archaeological remains covering a vast period, from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages. Its most emblematic site, the Baume Périgaud, searched in 1940 by H. Stecchi and H. Bottet, revealed occupations of the ancient Superior Paleolithic (Proto-Aurignacian and Aurignacian), with exceptional furniture (lithic and bone tools, fauna) today preserved at the Museum of Terra Amata in Nice. A dozen prehistoric shelters and caves were listed in 1971 by Professor Henry de Lumley.
At the top, the remains of a medieval castrum (called Château des Barbets or Château des Voleurs) attest to an occupation from the year Mil, with a square tower, masonry walls and a poterne to murder. Traces of Iron Age habitat complete this protohistoric heritage. Finally, a Roman route would have crossed the Col de Revel, as evidenced by the tombs under tiles and funeral inscriptions discovered near an old inn or customs post.
All the remains, protected since 2018, offer a unique panorama of the human occupations in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, from prehistoric hunter-gatherers to medieval communities, including the Roman exchanges along the Mediterranean.
