Merri, Orne

A commune in the Orne department, Normandy, France, notable for the Camp de Bierre, one of the largest fortified archaeological sites in western France. Occupying over 4 hectares on a spur of Armorican sandstone, the site spans from the Neolithic era (c. 3500 BC) through the Iron Age. Its triple enclosure of earth and dry-stone ramparts includes a main wall 32 m across and 7 m high. Excavations have uncovered Neolithic flint tools, schist bracelets, pottery with combed decoration, and forge slags from the Iron Age Hallstatt period.