AN INSCRIBED OCULAR EX-VOTO AT CLOS DU DETOUR, PANNES (LOIRET), A SANCTUARY IN SENONE TERRITORY

An ocular ex-voto has been found inside a pit in a sanctuary situated at Pannes (Loiret), in the territory of the Senones city, during excavations which took place in 1996-1997, before the A 77 motorway construction. In spite of the fact that the archaeological assessment of the region is incomplete, numerous antique remains have been found,. this sanctuary whose deity (or deities) is/are unknown was important enough to attract, amongst others, a female Roman citizen of local origin, Prisceia Aviola. She offered an ocular ex-voto of a previously, unseen shape, the material of which silver is exceptional, and which hears a dedicatory inscription, an uncommon characteristic. The small ratio of women, especially those who were Roman citizens amongst worshippers, the choice of an unusual metal and the quality of the artefact make this (offering so special that it proves the attractiveness of the sanctuary where it was placed.