International audienceThe site known as “Marais de Santes” in Houplin-Ancoisne (Nord Department) lies on the banks of the Deûle. Trial-trenching was carried out in a small part of the valley bottom and this provided us with information on the evolution of the river and its relation to the archaeological settlements. By cross-referencing the results of stratigraphical and environmental studies we were able reconstruct the development of a specific meander of the Deûle River from the Last Glacial Maximum to the Bronze Age; it is also worth noting that the discovery of evidence pointing to the diachronic settling of deposits ensured that we did not fall into the trap of simplistic interpretations. Proof that the meander was occupied by humans ...