# Mormont
> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mormont
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Mormont.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormont
> Source revision: 1355812619
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
{{short description|Mountain in Switzerland}}
{{about|the hill in Vaud, Switzerland|other uses}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mormont
| image = Eclépens, Le Mormont, site Proto-historique et âge du Fer.jpg
| image_caption = The chalk mining pit as seen from the hill summit.
| elevation_m = 605
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m = 115
| prominence_ref = [Retrieved from the [Swisstopo](/source/Swisstopo) topographic maps. The key col is located at [La Sarraz](/source/La_Sarraz) at approximately 490 metres.]
| parent_peak =
| map = Switzerland
| map_caption = Location in Switzerland
| location = [Vaud](/source/Vaud), [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland)
| range =
| coordinates = {{coord|46|39|25.42|N|6|32|16.84|E|type:mountain_region:CH_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range_coordinates =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route =
}}
'''''Le Mormont''''' is a hill in the Swiss [canton of Vaud](/source/canton_of_Vaud), rising to an elevation of 605 metres, with a [prominence](/source/Topographic_prominence) of about 115 metres. It is part of the [Éclépens](/source/%C3%89cl%C3%A9pens) municipality between lakes [Neuchatel](/source/Lake_Neuchatel) and [Geneva](/source/Lake_Geneva). The name is first recorded in AD 814, as ''Mauromonte''. It is derived from the Roman-era personal name ''Maurus''.[
Hermann Gröhler, ''Über ursprung und bedeutung der französischen ortsnamen von Hermann Gröhler'' C. Winter, 1933, p. 336 (citing [Förstemann](/source/Ernst_F%C3%B6rstemann)). For speculation on an alternative (Celtic or Germanic) derivation, see Gilbert Künzi, Charles Kraege, ''Montagnes romandes: à l'assaut de leur nom : étude étymologique des noms de montagnes de Suisse romande'', Archives vivantes romandes, Editions Cabedita, 2001, [https://books.google.com/books?id=icIYBKgQvjAC&pg=PA34 p. 34]]
==Geography==
Le Mormont is a hill in the Swiss [canton of Vaud](/source/canton_of_Vaud), part of the [Éclépens](/source/%C3%89cl%C3%A9pens) municipality, about halfway between lakes [Neuchatel](/source/Lake_Neuchatel) and [Geneva](/source/Lake_Geneva). It is rising to an elevation of 605 metres, with a [prominence](/source/Topographic_prominence) of about 115 metres, forming a watershed between the [Rhine](/source/Rhine) and the [Rhone](/source/Rhone) basins, separating the [Venoge](/source/Venoge_(river)) and the [Orbe](/source/Orbe_(river)) valleys to the south and north, respectively. The mountain is [topographically connected](/source/parent_peak) to the [Jura Mountains](/source/Jura_Mountains) to the west. East of Le Mormont runs the ''Entreroches'' gorge (460 m).
The nearest village is La Sarraz with 2700 inhabitants, 3 churches and twice hourly trains for Lafarge-Holcim ´s 100 employees.[{{Cite news |date=2020-10-28 |title=Lafarge-Holcim (1): Besetzung in der Waadt: Mit Blumen gegen Beton |language=de |url=https://www.woz.ch/-b00e |access-date=2021-03-30}}]
==Archaeology==
In 2009, the cantonal archaeological office of Vaud performed a [watching brief](/source/watching_brief) excavation, which led to the discovery of a late [La Tène period](/source/La_T%C3%A8ne_period) (c. 100 BC) [Helvetic](/source/Helvetii) cult site with a total of 250 Celtic burial pits containing sacrificial deposits. Among the deposited goods were ceramic and bronze vessels, iron tools, jewelry, grinding stones, coins, and both animal and human remains. It was reported as being of unprecedented size and richness for the period. It is unclear whether the human remains represent a cemetery or evidence of [human sacrifice](/source/Celtic_human_sacrifice).
The site is of primary importance for [Gaulish religion](/source/Celtic_polytheism) on the eve of the [Roman conquest](/source/Gallic_Wars).
==Flora==
The flora of Mormont is characterized by a dominance of thermophilic and submediterranean middle-European elements, with a surprising intrusion of mountain species in a site covered with hill vegetation. As of 2013 with more than 900 species recorded on the site, the Mormont has been considered one of the botanical hotspots of the canton of Vaud, with as a definite advantage the fact that it is still very preserved from invasive plants. It includes 200 rare species at the cantonal level, even at the Swiss level, threatened, and about 100 [red listed](/source/IUCN_Red_List), including a large number of orchids and a rare linden hybrid in the spontaneous state. The variety of oak trees is exceptionally rich.[{{Cite web |last=Caroline Sonnay |title=La flore du Mormont |url=https://www.sauvonslemormont.ch/valeurs/botanique/ |access-date=2021-03-30 |website=Association pour la Sauvegarde du Mormont |language=fr-FR}}]
==Modern history==
In the 17th century, the [Canal d’Entreroches](/source/Canal_d%E2%80%99Entreroches) was dug through the ''Entreroches'' gorge, enabling water transportation between the Rhone and the Rhine rivers. The canal ceased to be profitable in the 18th century, and when a bridge across the canal collapsed in 1829, it was shut down altogether.
The course of the historical canal is now traversed by a [railway](/source/Swiss_railways) tunnel of the [Lausanne](/source/Lausanne)-[Yverdon](/source/Yverdon) line.
Since 1953, Le Mormont has been substantially [mined](/source/Open-pit_mining) for chalk by multinational [LafargeHolcim](/source/LafargeHolcim), producing 800,000 tons of [cement](/source/cement) and 400,000 tons of {{CO2}} annually.[{{Cite news |last=Bernet |first=Christoph |date=27 March 2021 |title=Eclépens VD - Klima-Aktivisten besetzten Holcim-Zementgrube – jetzt spitzt sich der Konflikt zu |language=de |url=https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/eclepens-vd-klima-aktivisten-besetzten-holcim-zementgrube-jetzt-spitzt-sich-der-konflikt-zu-ld.2119237 |access-date=2021-03-30}}]
In 2006 to 2009 it was planned to extend the mining pit to the hill's summit, but because of the importance of the archaeological site, the mining operation was put on hold until a more detailed archaeological excavation could take place in 2014/15.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
In 2016, the canton of Vaud issued a permit for expansion of the pit until 2029. Local inhabitants and environmental organisations filed a lawsuit, which failed in cantonal courts.[{{Cite news |date=2021-03-30 |title=Umwelt-Aktivisten - Polizei räumt Protest-Camp auf Holcim-Gelände in der Waadt |language=de |work=SRF |url=https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/umwelt-aktivisten-polizei-raeumt-protest-camp-auf-holcim-gelaende-in-der-waadt |access-date=2021-03-30}}]
==See also==
*[Helvetii](/source/Helvetii)
*[Gournay-sur-Aronde](/source/Gournay-sur-Aronde)
*[Jura water correction](/source/Jura_water_correction)
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Le Mormont}}
*[http://www.archeoplus.ch/agora3/viewtopic.php?f=4&p=153#p119 Le sanctuaire celtique de Mormont] {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.horizons-et-debats.ch/index.php?id=309 Le Mormont Grandeur et misère d’un sanctuaire helvète] {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.tsr.ch/tsr/index.html?siteSect=200001&sid=7087787 Vaud: Le Mormont: Sanctuaire celtique] {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.archeolog-home.com/pages/content/eclepens-suisse-des-sacrifices-humains-chez-les-helvetes-en-100-av-jc.html ECLEPENS (Suisse) : Des sacrifices humains chez les Helvètes en 100 av JC.]
Category:Mountains of Vaud
Category:Archaeological sites in Switzerland
Category:Helvetii
Category:Celtic archaeological sites
Category:Ancient Celtic religion
Category:Mountains of Switzerland
Category:Mountains of Switzerland under 1000 metres
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mormont](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormont) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormont?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.