Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The baldement tumulus is a castral mott along the Aube River, in the same name as the Marne. Ranked a historic monument in 1934, this medieval site bears witness to the feudal organization of the region. Its imposing structure, with a 40-metre side base and thick walls, suggests a major defensive and residential function for local lords. The presence of a cellar-refuge in its base, known to the inhabitants, reveals its protective role during the periods of invasion, illustrating the recurring tensions of the period.

Archaeological excavations carried out between 1873 and 1874 by MM. Bonnefont (professor of history), de Vivès (librarian in Sainte-Geneviève) and Gardebled (railway piqueur) revealed advanced construction techniques for the Middle Ages. The foundations, composed of tufa and gravel agglomerated in a primitive concrete, supported a square building of 15 meters side, with walls of 2.50 meters thick. These discoveries, published in 1875, confirm the strategic importance of the site in the Champagne Barony, integrated into the feudal network of the province.

The village of Baudement belonged to the Barony of Champagne, a key political and territorial entity of the Middle Ages. This motte, typical of the seigneurial architecture of the period (XI-11th centuries), served as both a symbol of power, aristocratic residence and a defence point. Its classification in 1934 underscores its heritage value, while the archives of the excavations (preserved at the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève) make it a major source for understanding medieval fortification techniques in Champagne.

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