Les ateliers de sarcophages paléochrétiens en Gaule : la Provence et les Pyrénées

Referring to the work of recent decades, the author emphasises the importance of the contribution of K. Eichner in elucidating the process of manufacture of sarcophagi at Rome in the fourth century. The method is applied here to the sarcophagus "of Cassian" at Marseille, which is usually attributed to a local workshop of the fifth century, but which is here claimed to be a Roman work of the 380s. The study then examines south-eastern Gaul ; technique and style suggest that several later fourth century sarcophagi are of local manufacture. The recent identification of the marble of Saint-Béat (analysed by A. Costedoat) tends to confirm this hypothesis, but presents problems in the case of one piece which is certainly of Roman manufacture ; the presence of Roman workmen working on Pyrenanmarble - perhaps near the quarries -is one possibility, but it is also necessary to consider the identifications suggested by A. Costedoat with caution. Finally, the author reexamines the case of the late "Aquitanian" sarcophagi. Rather than locating the centre of production at Toujouse (as proposed by B. Briesenick-Christern) he presents the arguments in favour of Lugdunum Convenarum (Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges) going a period from the end of the fourth to the end of the sixth century. In an appendix, P. Jongste reconsiders some of the difficult problems presented by marble analysis; re-examining the approach of A. Costedoat, he presents some critical observations and suggests the need for caution in assessing current results. [N. D., tract. Ch. Roueche]