Discovery of a Napoleonic army camp in Etaples-sur-Mer

The camp was built by the soldiers who were at first billeted under canvas. To the north-east of the camp, nineteen huts, 14 to 45 m² in area, which opened on to two parallel roads were excavated. The dig has shown that their whitewashed walls were made of daub. Some of the footings were built of limestone blocks. Numerous fragments of glass as well as lead cames indicate that the windows were glazed. Contemporary texts and illustrations mention thatched roofs, but the use of tiles is indicated by fragments found in the backfill of the huts. Lastly, from the archives we learn that each regiment had its own garden and each company its kitchen garden and well. 

The profusion of everyday objects strewn over the ground aids the recognition of the different areas of activity in the huts. Traces of footprints indicate passages between the sleeping areas. Potsherds found near fires show that meals were prepared and served nearby. Most of the huts had a principal and a secondary hearth. Remains of numerous clay pipes found on the ground of one of the huts indicate that it was perhaps the officers' mess. This quarter is also identified by the presence of gilt buttons found in six of the huts. 

Most of the buttons are marked with a "6" inscribed in a hunting horn, that of the 6th Light Infantry Regiment. Cast in copper and set on bone, wood or copper, they illustrate different manufacturing techniques, some of which were hitherto unknown. The presence of several uniform buttons marked with the "75" of the 75^th regiment of the line, not present at Etaples, as well as others apparently stamped with the star of the Order of the Garter, worn by some British regiments, remains unexplained. 

Knapsack and pouch buckles, illustrating their equipment, were also found, as well as copper tokens and royal, revolutionary and consular coins.