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Key figures

Origin and history

The Banassac Archaeological Museum was established in 1989 under the leadership of Gilbert Fages and the local archaeological association. Located in the town hall of Banassac, it highlights the discoveries from the excavations carried out on the commune, including Gallo-Roman ceramics and Merovingian coins.

Banassac was, in the Gallo-Roman era, a major centre for the production of pottery and sigillated ceramics, whose objects spread to Pompeii and Poland. These artifacts illustrate the village's artisanal importance in ancient times, as well as its role in trade across Europe.

The museum also houses an exceptional collection of Merovingian coins, which is estimated to be one third of the items stored in world museums from Banassac. These coins, struck between the 5th and 8th centuries, bear legends like BANNACICO GAVALETANO (Banassac le Gabalitain), reflecting the monetary and political history of Gevaudan. Several hypotheses explain this abundance: the commercial activity of the Gabales, the local Gaulish people, or the wealth of the Aquitaine under the Merovingians, attracting the desires of the Franks.

The exposed currencies show a stylistic and metallurgical evolution from gold to electrum and then to silver. The first pieces retain traces of Roman iconography (imperial effigies, chrisms), while the later series, like those struck under Sigebert III, degenerate in quality. Some currencies are attributed to the monetary Maximinus and bear references to La Canourgue or Saint-Martin.

The numismatic research of the 19th century, particularly those of the Vicomte Ponton d'Amécourt and d'E. de More de Préviala, has made it possible to classify these currencies into six groups. Their catalogue, Monnaies Mérovingiennes du Gévaudan (1883), remains a reference, completed later by the works of Jean-Louis Mirmand. These studies highlight the key role of Banassac in the Merovingian monetary history, linked to its economic activity and geographical location.

The name Banassac originates in the words Gallic banne (corn) and ac (domain), while the Gevaudan derives from Gabali, the Gaulish people mentioned by Julius Caesar. This etymology reflects the deep historical anchor of the region, between Celtic heritage and progressive integration into the Frankish kingdoms.

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