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Origin and history

Fort Harrouard is a prehistoric site located in the municipality of Sorel-Moussel, in Eure-et-Loir, about 80 km from Paris. Occupied from the Middle Neolithic to the Second Iron Age (La Tene period), it was also occasionally used in the Upper Middle Ages. This site is distinguished by its natural and artificial defensive system, including a slope and a deep ditch of 9 meters, as well as a piling palissade, revealed by archaeological excavations.

The first excavations, carried out at the beginning of the 20th century by Abbé Philippe, revealed archaeological remains and a burial of the Iron Age, known as the "carcase grave", located west of the site. Work resumed between 1983 and 1988 under the direction of Jean-Pierre Mohen and Alain Ville, who studied the well and the ramparts, confirming the strategic importance of the site. The site, protected by a classification as historical monuments since 1934, now preserves part of its artifacts at the Musée d'Archéologie nationale de Saint-Germain-en-Laye and at the Musée Marcel Dessal de Dreux.

Fort Harrouard is situated on a long hill, naturally defended by steep slopes bordered by the Eure River to the west. The entrance to the cut-off camp, probably at the western end of the ditch, was accessible by a narrow road around the hill. This device illustrates the ingenuity of prehistoric and protohistoric populations to protect themselves while taking advantage of the relief. The vestiges and studies carried out bear witness to the continuous occupation and adaptation of defences over the centuries.

Archaeological excavations revealed traces of pole holes, suggesting the presence of a wooden palisade reinforcing the chalk and flint clay rampart. These discoveries, combined with artifacts preserved in museums, provide valuable insights into the lifestyles, construction techniques and funeral practices of the communities that occupied this site between Neolithic and Iron Age.

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