The remains of an ancient Celtic prince or princess found still wearing a solid gold torque and lavish bracelets in a grave filled with riches has left archaeologists baffled.

The 2,500 year old royal grave, which is thought to date to the fifth century BC, was discovered in Lavau, near Troyes, is thought to have belonged to a member of a Celtic royal family.

Lying at the centre of the tomb, the skeleton had been laid to rest inside an ornate two-wheeled chariot with a 580g (1.2lbs) golden torque decorated with elaborate winged monsters around its neck.

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The skeleton (shown left) was found still wearing a solid gold torque and bracelets. A jet armband also adorned the left bicep. A giant bronze cauldron and several bronze buckets were also found in the grave, (which can be seen on the right). The body itself had been placed in a two wheeled chariot, leaving experts baffled as to whether the grave belonged to a Celtic prince or princess

Two gold bracelets were also still on the skeleton’s wrists and an armband made of jet around the left bicep. 

However a sword still in its sheath was also found in the grave, suggesting the individual may have been a warrior of some kind.

Delicately decorated Greek vases and huge three-foot-wide Etruscan bronze cauldron were also found alongside the body.

However, French archaeologists who have been leading the excavation have yet to establish the Sєx of the individual in the tomb, but believe it may have been a Celtic prince or princess of Lavau.

The strange ᴀssortment of items found alongside the body have added to the mystery of who the tomb belonged to.

There have been several tombs of princesses from fifth century BC found in north east France, including the Lady of Vix, which was discovered in northern Burgundy in 1953.

Archaeologists have described the latest tomb as an ‘exceptional discovery’ that resembled another found in Reinheim in Germany. 

Bastien Dubuis, chief archaeologist on the dig, said: ‘The presence of a chariot, a cauldron and bronze crockery are three typical characteristics of a princely tomb from this period.

‘They’re well-documented funerary objects, objects of prestige. They were used in religious ceremonies and as a way to show off the power of the elite.’

The body appears to have been dressed in lavish finery before being placed in the grave, suggesting they were of extremely high standing. However, aspects of the burial have left archaeologists baffled. Two gold bracelets, still on the wrists of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Celtic royal can be seen in the newly released image above

A bronze cauldron which forms one of the centre pieces of the tomb had several large rings around its edge, each adorned with the horned, bearded head of Acheloos, the Greek river god (as shown in the image above)

The tomb was first discovered in October last year and made public in March, but following further excavations, experts have now released more details of the riches inside the grave.

In a statement released by the National Archaeological Research Insitute in France, Inrap, it said: ‘Lying at the centre of the tomb, at the south end, the deceased rests with its two-wheeled chariot.

‘The prince is dressed in his jewellery. It sports a solid gold torque heavier than even that of the Princess of Vix’s rigid collar.

‘In his wrists, a gold bracelet, while his left bicep was girded with a lignite [jet] armband. This furniture has similarities with that of the tomb of Reinheim in Germany.

The edge of the cauldron also featured exquisitely detailed bronze heads of lionesses, as shown above

Ceramics, including this finely decorated Greek wine pitcher inlaid with gold, were also found in the grave

‘It is richly decorated with a double winged monster patter. Archaeologists found several amber beads, finely worked into a necklace or hair jewellery.

‘The tomb contains funerary deposits worthy of the highest wealthy Hallstatt elites.’

The Hallstatt Celts were a early Iron age culture that spread across most of northern Europe.

However, Inrap added: ‘The poor state of preservation of the bones means it is not yet possible to determine with certainty the Sєx of the individual.’

The position of the skeleton in the tomb – lying slightly on its side – has meant archaeologists have been unable to examine the pelvis without damaging the remains.

Funeral deposits including bronze and ceramic dishes were found in the tomb, which is dated to the early fifth century BC

The Celtic tomb was found within a huge burial complex (shown above) on the outskirs of Lavau near to Troyes

Even archaeologists involved in the dig are split over the Sєx of the remains.

They say some of the evidence found in the grave, such as the chariot, have a distinctly masculine feel, but the skeleton itself appears more feminine.

Inrap said it appeared the prince or princess had been buried in their finest clothing, possibly a costume that had been worn for special occasions or parties.

Iron clasps and coral that perhaps held the garment together were also found and the remains of some leather along with iron rivets that sat around the neck.

Lace eyelets and bronze clasps from the person’s shoes also remain.

Archaeologists excavating the grave also found a moat encircling the burial mound (shown above). It forms part of an enormous burial complex that was uncovered in the French town of Lavau

A sliver wine seive (shown left) was among the treasures discovered in the grave (shown right) which French archaeologists have been painstakingly excavating since it was discovered in October last year

Archaeologists say it appears the person had been lavishly clothed when they were buried suggesting they were of extremely high standing.

One of the most intriguing items in the grave, however, was the enormous bronze cauldron cast in the Meditteranean style.

It is not clear whether it was buried with anything inside but experts say at some point it may have been used to hold wine.

The cauldron has four circular handles, each decorated with the horned, bearded head of Acheloos, the Greek river god.

The edge of the pot is decorated with eight heads of lionesses. Experts believe it may have been made either in Greece or by the Etruscan civilisation that lived in Tuscany in Italy at the time.

In some Celtic cultures warriors were buried with cauldrons for use in the afterlife.

The discovery, which has been described as ‘exceptional’, was made in Lavau, eastern France

It is hoped the tomb may help to shed fresh light on the trade links between the Celts in northern Europe and the emerging civilisations around the Mediterranean at the time.

The Celtic prince or princess is thought to have died around 500BC – about the time when the ancient Greeks were beginning to flourish.

It has been widely ᴀssumed that the Greeks and Etrucans saw the cultures living in the north as barbarians, but the new discovery shows they may have enjoyed a close relationship.

Also found in the tomb was a black ceramic Greek wine pitcher inlade with gold, described as being ‘without equivalent’.

The pitcher depicts Dionysius at a banquet lying under a vine opposite a female figure.

Archaeologists also found a gold and silver sieved spoon for separating wine from herbs and spices.

Inrap president Dominique Garcia said: ‘They are evidence of the exchanges that happened between the Mediterranean and the Celts.

‘Even in the rich Greek tombs you don’t find such objects.’