Researchers Discover Enigmatic Sitting Graves in Historical French Graveyard
Digging up some intriguing historical findings in France, archaeologists have uncovered a peculiar group of Gallic graves and a children's cemetery tucked away in an old convent's garden in Dijon. Dating back over 2,000 years, these discoveries have left researchers scratching their heads, thanks to some strange burial practices and unique finds.
First, let's tackle those Gallic graves. A distinct feature about these remains is that they're all buried upright and facing west. That might not sound so unusual, but think again – this positioning is like finding a needle in a haystack, with only one dozen similar examples known across France and Switzerland. Talk about being one of the elite handful!
France's National Institute for Preventative Archaeological Research (INRAP) has spearheaded several compelling finds, and this one is no exception. The burial style raises numerous questions about the social status of these individuals. Were they political or religious movers and shakers in their communities, or simply kin belonging to the same lineage?
Moving on to the children's necropolis, the site holds the remains of 22 juveniles from the 1st century CE. These bodies may have been lain down in their final resting places on their backs or sides – considering the custom of the era. Several of the graves featured stone casings and tiny nails that hinted at wooden coffins, all of which had long since rotched away. Many kiddo graves unearthed also contained tiny prizes, like coins and ceramics – possible offerings made with love.
The archaeological team dug up more than just graves at the site. They uncovered ancient planting pits dating to the Gallo-Roman period, suggesting a shift in the use of this very piece of land from a burial ground to agricultural activities. Perhaps farming was the new black in Gallo-Roman times?
But that's not all, folks! INRAP has been making headlines with their discoveries, unearthing some truly astounding artifacts in the recent past. In Brittany, they found a bone-chilling gold ring hidden away at a Bronze Age settlement, wrapping up a riveting excavation stint towards the end of last year. And the limelight doesn't stop there. In Paris' Notre Dame, an INRAP team stumbled upon two lead sarcophagi buried beneath the cathedral floor, reeking of drama and historical intrigue.
As we approach December, we'll be reviewing the most groundbreaking archaeology of the entire year – and with INRAP's robust record of discoveries, it's safe to say we'll have our eyes glued to their work!
The discovery of these ancient burial practices sparked interest in how technology and science might shed light on the society of that time. With advancements in archaeological scanning technologies, we may soon unveil more insights about the social status and daily lives of these Gallic individuals in the future.
Furthermore, some researchers propose using modern scientific techniques, such as DNA analysis, to examine the remains and potentially link them to other communities in Europe, revealing potential connections between the past and the present.
