La nécropole de Ventavon (Hautes-Alpes). Synthèse des différentes interventions et comparaisons

Abstract

The excavation of the tumulus at Mollards (commune of Ventavon, Hautes-Alpes) was carried out during the construction of the A51 motorway. It permitted us to carry out an almost exhaustive analysis of the site and the revision of previous work. This necropolis was first explored at the begging of the century by Ch. Cotte and then by .J. Ulysse between 1970-72. Despite this it has never been fully published. This article rectifies that situation with a discussion of the type of construction for each burial mound, along with the type of burial and its material culture. The synthesis of this information is situated in the Haut-alpine context and the comparison with neighbouring sites is made. This allows us to bring to light several common traits : The grouping of burial mounds within the same cemetery ; differences in construction techniques within the same group of mounds ; the presence of burials possessing a different status (objects present in varying quantities or even absent, variable positions within the mounds, possible presence of protective structures. . . ).