VENABLES GAULS

In the 2nd century BC, the people of the Eburovices  1 "those who conquer by the yew 2  "  resulting from the Germanic people of Aulerques will be established mainly on the whole of the territory of the current department of Eure. Their vacation spots will be mainly on the heights from where the translation of the habitat of the valley towards the current belvedere which dominates the river and inside the plateau as shown by traces of a first Celto / Gallic occupation on a site of a hamlet in the town located on the axis of a Celtic way between two great civitates that are Evreux and Les Andelys.

 

We know very little about these first "Gauls", they did not leave written traces because the transmission of knowledge is done orally and from generation to generation. For several decades, historical and archaeological studies have undergone considerable development and have given us a better overview of the constitution of Gallic village territorial structures, and in particular their installations on our territory, the traces of which can be observed for informed people. These sites will be made up of small farms of free peasants on small units called "Vici" where family clans live in complete autarky with restricted communication and exchanges.

 

To approach this Gallic period we must abandon the controversial image of the Gallic In view of current studies, Gallic society had a completely different face. Their way of life is characterized between the ager and the saltus 3 , Although a beginning of clearing on the whole of the plateau was made during the Neolithic and protohistory, the forest massifs, the uncultivated spaces, the swamps in the valley still form natural barriers to the development of the future village

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It is in this context that the Gallic culture will take its rise and modify the agricultural and artisanal practices with a high control of the culture and the breeding. They will develop a good technical level thanks to the invention and improvement of agricultural tools and crafts. They excel in the field of mineral extraction and processing. This mastery will give them an indisputable superiority in the field of armament and cartwork. On the religious level, they will bring with them new beliefs and associate them with Celtic rituals. This Celto / Gallic culture will influence the first terminology of the name of the village. This will evolve with the history of the village to become a name of international renown.

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1 Auguste le Prévot: History of the department and the municipalities of Eure volume 1

2 The yew: sacred tree of Celtic culture. What is its influence on the terminology of the name Venables?

3 Aging cultivated areas, saltus in wild areas.