Remarkable Discovery: Unearthing 2,000-Year-Old Burial Sites of Horses
A fascinating excavation in France has revealed nine remarkable graves holding the remains of 28 horses, dating back 2,000 years. The mysterious circumstances surrounding their burial adds to the intrigue of this significant find by archaeologists.
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In France, archaeologists have made an exciting discovery of nine graves that hold the skeletons of 28 horses. These horses were buried around 2,000 years ago, but the reason for their deaths is still unknown.
In the central France commune of Villedieu-sur-Indre, the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) has fully excavated two graves.
These graves contain horses that have been radiocarbon-dated back to a time period between 100 BC to 100 AD.
Archaeologists discovered a total of 12 horse skeletons in two separate pits. In one pit, there were 10 complete horse skeletons, while in the other pit, there were two. All of the skeletons were found carefully arranged in the same position - lying on their right flank with their heads pointing south.
After closely examining the position of the skeletons and the connections between the bones, archaeologists concluded that all of the horses were buried at the same time shortly after their deaths.
Another grave is situated between these two pits but it contains two medium-sized dogs, both lying on their left side with their heads facing west.
Two of the nine graves have been fully excavated so far.
Two of the nine graves have been fully excavated so far.
Inrap
Archaeologists have not finished digging up all the graves yet. However, they have found 28 horses by looking at the skulls and coxal bones that are visible on the surface.
Were these horses killed in battle or were they part of a ritual sacrifice?
The exact reason for the horses' deaths is still unknown.
Archaeologists have eliminated the possibility of an epidemic because the graves contain only adult male horses aged over four years. This leaves two potential explanations according to the archaeologists: the horses were either casualties of a battle or were sacrificed in a ritual.
About 2,000 years ago, these horses passed away near a fortified Celtic settlement called an oppidum. Interestingly, this location is similar to two other horse burial sites discovered by archaeologists in the same region.
Because of this proximity, experts believe that the horses' deaths may be linked to the conflicts of the Gallic Wars, during which Julius Caesar conquered Gaul from 58 to 50 BC.
The horses may have been killed in battle or sacrificed.
The horses may have been killed in battle or sacrificed.
Inrap
There may be another explanation, however: ritual sacrifice.
The INRAP statement suggested that the animals may have been sacrificed as part of a complex ritual, even though only limited evidence remains.
Additionally, if the horses were buried for ritualistic purposes instead of being casualties of a battle, the large quantity discovered highlights the significance and scale of the sacrifice.
Other finds at the site, which sits on the slope of a valley, include buildings, pits, ditches and a road that archaeologists dated to the late 5th and early 6th centuries.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of 28 horse skeletons in nine graves in France is a captivating find that has sparked intriguing questions about the past. The fact that these horses were meticulously arranged in a specific position suggests that they were buried with intention, rather than as a result of a natural disaster. The absence of any signs of an epidemic points to a more deliberate cause of death.
While the possibility of these horses being casualties of a battle during the Gallic Wars is plausible, the proximity to a Celtic settlement and the presence of other horse burial sites in the area also raise the intriguing possibility of ritual sacrifice. The notion that these horses may have been offered as a sacrifice to appease the gods or mark a significant event adds a layer of mystery to this discovery. Further excavation and analysis will undoubtedly shed more light on the circumstances surrounding these horses' deaths, offering valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the people who lived in this region over two millennia ago.
