04-06-2009, 12:44 AM
A huge (over 1 km square) Gallic sanctuary was first discovered from the air in the 1960’s at Ribemont-sur-Ancre, about 12 miles/20 km NE of Amiens, and initially interpreted as Gallo-Roman. Later, in the 1980’s, more than 20,000 human bones were found from as many as 500 or more individuals, all young men 15-40 years of age. The men were quite large, averaging much the same size as modern Europeans. The men did not die from illness. These bones came from an enclosure within the sanctuary some 16 x 5.5 yds (15x5 metres) big. They were entangled amongst many weapons (over 5,000 !). It was well into the 1990’s before these massive finds were examined in full and interpreted.
No skulls were present. The corpses were all decapitated, mostly by knives on bodies lying on the ground. The headless bodies and weapons were not buried deliberately, but had been left exposed, possibly for 200 years, consequently the weapons were in poor condition and badly rusted. Most were spear, javelin, and arrow-heads but very few swords and scabbards were found ( far too valuable, and given their mystical powers, doubtless taken by the victors.)
The corpses and weapons had been placed on a platform at some height which had eventually collapsed.
Elsewhere were more bodies, including horses and the remains of chariots. A gold torc and about 15 gold coins were found, which date the battle casualties to around 260 BC, and they belonged to the Lexovii, a Gallic tribe living in Normandy at that time. Pollen and seeds confirm the battle took place toward the end of Summer.
Further bone deposits come from inside the enclosure. Cubic constructions 1.6 yds/1.5 metres had been made from human long bones. In their centre was a hole filled with crushed and burnt human bones. Some also contain burnt horse bones. Six of these cubic structures have so far been found, with about 2,000 bones from around 300 individuals. These are similar to normal Celtic grave practises at the time and probably represent the collective graves of the Victor’s casualties. Warrior’s bones were left exposed for scavengers to pick at, then the bones collected and cremated, and the remains then buried.
These Victors are believed to be the Belgae who invaded this region mid-third century.
The area was evidently a cult-place to celebrate a famous victory, with offerings and banquets held from time to time around the periphery over the next 200 years or so. When the Romans arrived permanently c. 30 BC, the monument was pulled down and a Roman temple erected inside this Sanctuary/Place of Honour.
Fascinating archaeological evidence of a battle, like so many, unrecorded in History.
Does anyone, especially our French members, know where more information about this site can be found?
No skulls were present. The corpses were all decapitated, mostly by knives on bodies lying on the ground. The headless bodies and weapons were not buried deliberately, but had been left exposed, possibly for 200 years, consequently the weapons were in poor condition and badly rusted. Most were spear, javelin, and arrow-heads but very few swords and scabbards were found ( far too valuable, and given their mystical powers, doubtless taken by the victors.)
The corpses and weapons had been placed on a platform at some height which had eventually collapsed.
Elsewhere were more bodies, including horses and the remains of chariots. A gold torc and about 15 gold coins were found, which date the battle casualties to around 260 BC, and they belonged to the Lexovii, a Gallic tribe living in Normandy at that time. Pollen and seeds confirm the battle took place toward the end of Summer.
Further bone deposits come from inside the enclosure. Cubic constructions 1.6 yds/1.5 metres had been made from human long bones. In their centre was a hole filled with crushed and burnt human bones. Some also contain burnt horse bones. Six of these cubic structures have so far been found, with about 2,000 bones from around 300 individuals. These are similar to normal Celtic grave practises at the time and probably represent the collective graves of the Victor’s casualties. Warrior’s bones were left exposed for scavengers to pick at, then the bones collected and cremated, and the remains then buried.
These Victors are believed to be the Belgae who invaded this region mid-third century.
The area was evidently a cult-place to celebrate a famous victory, with offerings and banquets held from time to time around the periphery over the next 200 years or so. When the Romans arrived permanently c. 30 BC, the monument was pulled down and a Roman temple erected inside this Sanctuary/Place of Honour.
Fascinating archaeological evidence of a battle, like so many, unrecorded in History.
Does anyone, especially our French members, know where more information about this site can be found?
"dulce et decorum est pro patria mori " - Horace
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
(It is a sweet and proper thing to die for ones country)
"No son-of-a-bitch ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country" - George C Scott as General George S. Patton
Paul McDonnell-Staff
![[Image: sanctuairedcapnb0.jpg]](http://www.les-ambiani.com/photos/humour/sanctuairedcapnb0.jpg)
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