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Origin and history

The municipal museum of Sauveterre-la-Lémance has its origin in archaeological excavations carried out in the early 20th century in the Upper Ages. In 1920, Master Coulonges, notary and archaeologist, resumed the research initiated since the 19th century, notably after the discoveries of bones of quadrupeds in Gavaudun in 1834 by Chambard and Raignac. His work on the site of the Martinet reveals an unprecedented mesolithic lithic industry, called Sauveterrian with reference to the commune.

This museum, housed in a 19th century communal hall, highlights the prehistoric remains of the Lemance Valley. It proposes a pedagogical approach centered on the Mesolithic, highlighting the major technological innovation of this period: the appearance of the bow and arrows, emblematic tools of the Sauveterrian. The collections place these discoveries in the broader context of European prehistory, providing insight into the livelihoods and adaptations of hunter-gatherer societies.

Labeled Musée de France, the establishment enjoys an approximate location (estimated at 5/10 in precision) and relies on documentary sources such as Monumentum. His interest lies as much in the richness of the artifacts exhibited as in their scientific perspective, making accessible to the public the ancient history of this region of Aquitaine, now integrated into New Aquitaine.

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