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Origin and history

The Gallo-Roman fanum of Oisseau-le-Petit, located in the department of Sarthe (Land of the Loire), was discovered in the middle of the nineteenth century in the hamlet of "Busses". This sanctuary, classified as a historical monument on January 13, 1987, features a typical architecture of the Celto-Roman temples, with a square cella of 3.90 metres side and a peribola decorated with sculptures. Excavations revealed ex-votos (fibules, rooms, keys) and adjacent urban structures, suggesting a major religious role within the civitates of the Cenoman Aulercas.

The site is located in a Gallo-Roman secondary agglomeration with pedestrian paths, domestic habitat, thermal baths and theatre. An imposing villa, discovered at the place called "Les Noiras", bears witness to an aristocratic occupation, with buildings equipped with hypocaustes. Air prospecting (2011) confirmed the extent of the complex (about 1 hectare), while metal slag and a possible aqueduct underline its economic and cultural importance.

Founded at the end of the late Latenian period (The Ten D), the fanum was probably dedicated to a warrior cult, as indicated by the votive deposits. Its restoration aimed to reconstruct its original aspect. Research (1991–1997) also highlighted public buildings and clustered habitats, reinforcing the hypothesis of a structured urban centre, comparable to other cenoman sites such as Allonnes or Aubigné-Racan.

The name Oisseau-le-Petit (attested in the 9th century under Oxellum) could derive from the Gaulish Uxellos ("noble" or "high"), linked to the goddess Uxisama. This name reflects the symbolic importance of the site, located north of the territory of the Cenoman Aulercas. Recent excavations have confirmed its role as a "sacred belt" around the agglomeration, similar to the shrines of Sablé-sur-Sarthe or Vaas.

Metallurgical artifacts (scories) and craft structures suggest dynamic economic activity, while the presence of a hypocauste in the "Noiras" villa attests to a high standard of living. The site, served by infrastructure (assumed aqueduct), illustrates the integration of local elites into the Roman model, while maintaining Gaulish cultural features.

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