Une faisanderie moderne à Saint-Pathus (Seine-et-Marne)

The pheasantry of Saint-Pathus is the first of its kind to be found, excavated and identified by archaeologists in France. It can be used as a model for the identification of all kinds of enclosures intended for the breeding of birds.The most recent occupation layers of the “Small Elms” site in Saint-Pathus, are the remains of a very particular breeding enclosure dated to the 18th century.The remains of this rural establishment are a quadrangular trenched enclosure, with an identified surface of 2250 m². The internal perimeter of the enclosure is bordered by a series of small structures.The functional interpretation of this rural establishment is enabled by the comparison of the archaeological data with the plan of Intendance of Paris (1784); the excavated enclosure corresponds to a pheasantry, named as such. What did a pheasantry look like?To understand the vestiges, an archaeological reading of agronomic and cynegetic literature on the subject was carried out. The aim is to understand what type of archaeological remains would result from a place built for the breeding of pheasants?Twenty-three 18th and 19th century authors inform of the standards traditionally observed and given for the breeding of pheasants; the right location for a pheasantry, its shape and the care to be given to the laying areas.On the basis of treaties, an estimation of bird production is proposed for the pheasantry at Saint-Pathus. The excavated remains are compared with the description of pheasantries in traditional agricultural manuals and books related to hunting.This archaeological excavation provides an opportunity for considering the impact of social practices on land and environment management during the modern period (17th and 18th c.)