Archaeologists from the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) have unearthed the remarkably preserved remains of an ancient woodworking facility, dating back approximately two millennia, in the Ain department of France, close to the modern municipality of Izernore. This significant discovery took place at the Chemin de Trabouillet site during extensive investigations into the ancient Roman city of Isarnodurum, which functioned as a vital center in Gaul during the height of the Roman Empire.
Подошва из кленового дерева, эквивалент 29 размера, т.е. для ребёнка 5–6 лет. • © Флорио, Inrap
The survival of wooden artifacts and structural elements is directly attributable to exceptional environmental conditions: the complete darkness and oxygen-deprived stagnant water found within the site's subterranean features. The vast majority of the findings were successfully retrieved from four old wells located within the boundaries of the workshop.
Один из колодцев. • © Флор Жиро, Inrap
Among the recovered items were everyday objects such as combs, small storage boxes, components of footwear, and wooden writing tablets. This specific assemblage allowed researchers to swiftly determine that the location was not a standard residential area, but rather a highly specialized industrial operation dedicated to the production of high-quality wooden goods.
Декоративные настенные бра из самшита (диаметр 7,4 см). • © Флор Жиро, Inrap
Technical analysis confirmed that the artisans primarily worked with boxwood, but also incorporated ash, maple, and hazel into their production. The utilization of these diverse wood species enabled the creation of both sturdy, functional items and more delicate, decorative pieces. The presence of unfinished blanks, lathe trimmings, and partially completed products confirms the advanced technical mastery of the workshop staff. This evidence suggests the facility’s output served not only the local population but potentially extended to administrative structures or larger commercial trade networks.
The recovered writing tablets are of particular historical interest. Archaeologists retrieved no fewer than fifteen fragments, which include examples of educational notebooks alongside official or commercial documents. Crucially, some fragments still bear traces of ink, confirming their use for essential record-keeping within the city. It is highly probable that these tablets were manufactured directly on-site from local timber, providing a rare and detailed look into the daily written communication of the ancient city’s residents.
Further valuable insights into domestic life come from the discovery of children’s wooden soles. One sole, corresponding to a modern size 29, was designed for a child aged 6–7 years and represents the sculponae style of footwear—characterized by a wooden sole and a leather upper. Another smaller sole, size 27, was sized for a child aged 4–5 years and featured holes for straps, resembling an early form of sandal. Such specific details concerning the everyday lives of the city's youngest inhabitants are rarely preserved in the archaeological record.
Following their careful extraction from the wells, the organic artifacts underwent meticulous study by Inrap specialists before being transferred for stabilization at the ARC-NucléART laboratory in Grenoble. This vital conservation process ensured the preservation of the organic materials and the minute details of the craftsmanship, including clear traces of tools and even the fingerprints of the ancient artisans.
The discovery of this Roman workshop in Izernore provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine the daily routines and specialized skills of Roman craftsmen. The collection of wooden objects, tools, and tablets offers crucial information regarding ancient craft techniques, commerce, and urban existence. Local archaeologists, collaborating with the Izernore Museum, have organized an exhibition titled “Wells of Knowledge: 240 Years of Excavations in Izernore,” which will run from September 21, 2025, until December 31, 2026, showcasing these exceptional finds.
These excavations and subsequent research allow historians to reconstruct a vivid picture of a city where the success of the empire relied on the hands of ordinary workers, whose specialized knowledge and abilities were transmitted across generations. These findings represent a unique example of how ancient crafts profoundly influenced everyday life and trade, remaining intact in the archaeological memory two millennia later.