Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Larina, or barred spur of Hières-sur-Amby, is a major archaeological site located on a rocky spur overlooking the 200-metre Rhone in the north of Isère. Occupied since the recent Neolithic, it becomes an allobrogated oppidum at the Iron Age, surrounded by a 950 m rampart delimiting 21 hectares. The site, classified as a historical monument in 1983, reveals traces of habitats, sanctuaries and necropolises, as well as remains of quarries exploited from the early twentieth century.

During the final bronze age, the site houses huts and pits, with a possible first rampart. At the age of Latenian iron, it is transformed into an allobrogic oppidum, a place of gatherings and markets, combined with a Celtic sanctuary. The excavations uncovered funeral deposits (arms, ceramics) in cliff chimneys, such as the Hole of Chuire. The site is abandoned at the beginning of the Roman Gaul, before the construction of a sanctuary dedicated to Mercury in the third century.

In late antiquity (IVth–Vth centuries), an agricultural establishment occupied the plateau, with wooden huts and torchis, a necropolis ("La Motte 1"), and a village of 16 torchi buildings, including a fanum (traditional temple). A second necropolis ("La Motte 2") adds, with graves in lauze chests. Among them, an atypical burial suggests violent postmortem treatment (decapitation, tied feet), possibly related to a fearful person.

In the 6th century, the site evolved into a self-contained burgundy villa, with a large stone building of 1,500 m2, stables and workshops. The previous buildings are damaged or burned, and a funeral church ("Mollard 1") is built for new occupants. Between the 6th and 8th centuries, the site became a merovingian castrum, with a bulwark rebuilt in rubble and lime mortar, integrating ancient blocks. Metal furniture then reveals a northern influence, with a population of frank warriors.

The site was finally abandoned in the 8th century, after a voluntary move of tools and altars. Walls collapse for lack of maintenance, and new settlements develop in the plain. Today, the site is shared between the municipalities of Annoisin-Chatelans and Hières-sur-Amby. An archaeological park and the Maison du Patrimoine in Hières-sur-Amby expose the results of 18 years of excavations (1977–1995), conducted initially by Father Nicolet, then by professional archaeologists under the direction of Patrick Porte.

The excavations revealed a multifaceted occupation: sporadic Neolithic habitat, oppidum allobroge, Gallo-Roman sanctuary, late-antic village, burgundy villa and merovingian castrum. The site thus illustrates nearly 3,000 years of history, marked by architectural and cultural transformations, trade and various funeral practices. The damage caused by the 20th century quarries has partially altered the site, but its ranking and presentation have been a key evidence of regional history.

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