A 19th century map of Perillos

 

This map of Perillos, dating from the 19th century, is a new angle into the enigmas of Perillos. A comparison with a modern land register reveals that there is practically no difference to the borough since the time this map was drawn. The village – unsurprisingly – witnessed no major evolution for 200 years.

Click on the map for a detailed overview

The commune of Perillos is divided intwo two sections. The Village Section and the Section of St Barbara. There is only significant access road (a bold line on the map), crossing the territory lengthwise, the “Road of Vingrau with Perillos” and “Perillos with Feuilla”. The way to Opoul is described as secondary – though it is currently the only road in. The “old ways” were the original roads, because even the current road re-uses the road towards Feuilla, but then forks by the “Cortal Lalanne”.
The creation of a cadastral plan such as this was performed by basic lines of sights, between two demarcations, A and B, from which the relief of the commune was described. However, there are no markings indicating height. The relief is suggested using the old system introduced by Cassini: not very precise and with relative indicators. However, such plans were not meant to provide such information, but instead were created to clearly identify the precise location of pieces of property the ownership or location of which might be subject to confusion or debate.
The map clearly distinguishes, in the centre, the layout of a perimeter containing all the known locations of the mines. This is extremely remarkable, as the territory was considered never to have had any mines, as we have repeatedly been formally informed.
The map suggests the clear identification of the mining locations was its sole or primary purpose : the map does not list the location of vaults, oratories or other historical identifiers that normally litter the landscape. Furthermore, wells are also absent, even though they are of vital importance.

Reading the modern maps, it is clear that the locations themselves have evolved: many have disappeared, though some continue to respect old names given to them centuries ago. There is, however, one very intriguing location on the map, identified as « SIEGE DE LA MORT », Seat of Death.

There can be no doubt that this is an important document. It carefully draws a statement of affairs as it was in the 19th century. It identifies the locations of several mines, whose existence is currently denied. The denial came from an official authority… and this map was received from another administrative service, suggesting at the very least that the records of Perillos are extremely scattered. Finally, it should be highlighted that the known water points are not indicated on the map, even though they are vital for the distribution of drinking water for the dwellings, since no other water supply was available then, or now. Wells, cisterns and brooks (dry during the summer months) were the only local means to provide the inhabitants with water.

The absence of the old markers (crosses, oratories, etc.) is also remarkable. Normally, their location is deemed to be immutable and an « official geodetic point » on which other observations can be anchored. As the plan seems to have been drawn to carefully map mines and their location, the exclusion of such markers is somewhat odd.
The notable exception to the statement above is that a calvary is indicated, located on the border of the commune, though only on one slope. This is a very strange detail, as there were other calvaries, including more important ones, which existed in the area, and which are not rendered. We know of these other calvaries through sales contracts which often mention these practical demarcations between two properties. As mentioned, they were considered to be very static, and hence excellent indicators to anchor maps on.