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Nissan-lez-Ensérune: medieval irrigated field system
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Remains of Gaulish Oppidum at Nissan-les-Ensérune showing residential dwellings with underground storage chambers which could be covered with a large stone 'plug' (6th C. BC - 1st C. AD)
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This settlement was occupied without interruption between 600BC-100AD.
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One of hundreds of very large (5ft) earthenware storage jars present at Nissan-les-Ensérune. These were buried in the ground as granary silos.
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2000+ year old earthenware granary silos from Gaulish Oppidum at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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Below the Oppidum was the swamp of Montady. This was a freshwater wetland drained by monks in the 13th century under the direction of the Bishop of Narbonne. Radial ditches made from a single central point allow water to flow and drain via an underground
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Trees at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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Examples if the massive storage jars in situ at the Oppidum.
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Cistern from the period of Roman at the Oppidum of Nissan-les-Ensérune
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Oppidum at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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The Oppidum covers a very large area of hilltop with excellent command of the coastal plain. Large underground storage jars cover the site.
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The settlement at Nissan-les-Ensérune was populated by a highly sophisticated culture.
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The silos at Nissan-les-Ensérune are two meyres deep and could hold many hundreds of litres.
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Everywhere around the Oppidum are thousands of snails clinging to every available stalk of vegetation.
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A zedonk lives at the Oppidum but he's none too friendly.
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Rusty tracks....
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Say hello to my little friend...
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The collective noun for snails is an escargatoire but I like prefer a symposium of snails!
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Detail of motif on earthenware storage jar at Nissan-les-Ensérune.
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Funerary urn from 4th C BC at Nissan-les-Ensérune.
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Funerary urn from 4th C BC at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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Detail of funerary urn at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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Decorative detail from urn at Nissan-les-Ensérune
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View over Montady medieval 'lake' from Nissan-les-Enserune
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View over Montady medieval 'lake' from Nissan-les-Enserune
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Montady irrigation system