In 1982, a team of archaeologists excavating a Roman city in northern France came face to face with a mountain of human bones. What were they doing there? Follow me and I’ll tell you.
The site is Ribemont-sur-Ancre, in the Somme region. Known since the 1960s, excavations had uncovered thermal baths, temples, and even an amphitheater with a capacity of 3,000 people.
The site is Ribemont-sur-Ancre, in the Somme region. Known since the 1960s, excavations had uncovered thermal baths, temples, and even an amphitheater with a capacity for 3,000 people.
But the mountain of bones wasn’t Roman. It was from the 3rd century BC, two centuries before Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.
But the mountain of bones wasn’t Roman. It was from the 3rd century BC, two centuries before Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.
The mountain of bones was part of a Gallic sanctuary. Of a very common type, in fact: it is basically a cult space enclosed by a rectangular ditch. But Ribemont wasn’t just any sanctuary.
The mountain of bones was part of a Gallic sanctuary. Of a very common type, in fact: it is basically a cult space enclosed by a rectangular ditch. But Ribemont wasn’t just any sanctuary.
The mountain of bones was part of a Gallic sanctuary. Of a very common type, in fact: it’s basically a cult space enclosed by a rectangular pit. But the Ribemont sanctuary wasn’t just any other.
Because the offerings here weren’t animals, bronzes, or ceramics. Here the offerings were human beings. Many: no fewer than 10,000 bones were recovered.
Because the offerings here weren’t animals, bronzes, or ceramics. Here the offerings were human beings. Many: no fewer than 10,000 bones were recovered.
A good portion came from a structure erected with human remains. In the center of the structure, there was a pit. And inside the pit, the cremated remains of at least 300 people. And 50 horses. Later excavations uncovered two more ossuaries.
A good portion came from a structure erected with human remains. In the center of the structure, there was a pit. And inside the pit, the cremated remains of at least 300 people. And 50 horses. Later excavations located two more ossuaries.
Not only human and animal bones were found. Also 10,000 pieces of weaponry: swords, sword scabbards, shields, spears, and horse harnesses.
Not only human and animal bones were found. Also 10,000 pieces of weaponry: swords, sword scabbards, shields, spears, and horse harnesses.
It was the weaponry that allowed archaeologists to calculate the minimum number of corpses found in the sanctuary: 500 panoplies = 500 individuals. Their bones show injuries sustained in combat: cuts, gashes, fractures, bruises.
It was the weaponry that allowed archaeologists to calculate the minimum number of corpses found in the sanctuary: 500 panoplies = 500 individuals. Their bones show injuries sustained in combat: cuts, gashes, fractures, bruises.
They were young men: warriors who fell in battle. Or captured and sacrificed at the sanctuary. The Ribemont temple was an immense and bloody military trophy.
But something was missing from this set of bones. I’ll post the first image again. What are you missing from these skeletons?
Correct. Skulls. There were mostly long bones: femurs, tibias, humeri, radii. Not a single skull. The explanation is simple: the victors had decapitated the vanquished and taken their heads to decorate their homes and villages.
It was a widespread custom in both Gaul and Hispania, and we know it from the skulls themselves and from representations.
The warriors took the decapitated bodies to the sanctuary. And they hung them on wooden poles. As the corpses decomposed,Facebook want to censor me i just posted the pH๏τo and 1 second after there not allowed
