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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Gallo-Roman constructions of the Mare-du-Puits, located on the territory of the commune of Oissel in the Seine-Maritime, constitute a partial archaeological complex searched at the beginning of the twentieth century. These remains, located in the forest of Rouvray, include a fanum (sanctuary typical of the Gallo-Roman religion), a fortified enclosure, and other unexplored structures. Their discovery owes in particular to the archaeologist of Vesly, whose work allowed to identify these traces of ancient occupation.

Classified as a Historical Monument by decree of 9 November 1922, these ruins illustrate the importance of Gallo-Roman settlements in Upper Normandy (now Normandy). Their approximate location, noted as "a priori satisfactory" (level 6/10), suggests a strategic or religious occupation, common in forest areas at that time. The available data do not specify the exact extent of the site or its detailed use, but its classification reflects its heritage value.

The Gallo-Roman context in Normandy was marked by a gradual romanization of local populations, with the construction of sanctuaries (fana), roads, and rural villa. Fanums, often associated with sources or clearings, served as places of syncretic worship, mixing Gaulish and Roman traditions. The Rouvray Forest, close to Rouen (formerly Rotomagus), could host other similar sites, reflecting a territorial organization linked to channels of communication and natural resources.

No information is available on any artifacts discovered during the excavations, or on the precise duration of the site's occupancy. The current remains, although partially studied, offer a material testimony of the architectural and religious practices of the Roman Gaul in this region. Their preservation now depends on their integration into a forest environment, raising specific conservation issues.

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