Latest news with #NationalInstituteforPreventiveArchaeologicalResearch
LeMonde
27-07-2025
- Science
- LeMonde
France's Gergovie plateau continues to reveal its ancient secrets
Wearing white T-shirts stamped "INRAP" (for France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research) and work pants stained with earth, about 30 people bustled around the "craftsmen's quarter" site at Gergovie, near Clermont-Ferrand. Those digging, dusting and hauling away buckets of stones and sediment under the morning sun on July 17 were mostly students from universities across France, from first-year undergraduate to master's level. Every summer since 2022, around 20 of them have joined the approximately 1,000-square-meter site "to train in excavation techniques, alongside the theoretical courses they take at their university," explained Yann Deberge, an archaeologist with INRAP and head of the site. This 70-hectare plateau overlooking the valley once served as the capital of the Arverni people. The task is not easy, as they are not the first to attempt to unearth Gergovie's past. Since 1861, at least four excavation campaigns have taken place, sometimes leaving behind "invasive traces," in the words of Deberge. "That's a handicap we've tried to turn into a strength," he said. Before plunging back into the Gallic era, the archaeologists dedicated two years to studying previous excavations: They mapped them out and conducted archival research to get inside the heads of their predecessors, rediscovering their methods of working and recording results – all while carrying out their own explorations. The exposed patch of earth shown to journalists that day could be read as "a chronological fresco." From west to east, one moves back in time, from the reign of Augustus (27 BCE to 14 CE), the most recent period of human occupation, to the Gallic period (70 BCE to 50 BCE). "What is interesting about this site is that we can observe the transition from the end of the Iron Age to the Roman period," explained Marion Dacko, a research engineer at the Maison des sciences humaines, a humanities research center in nearby Clermont-Ferrand.
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Irish Independent
A guided bus and walking tour of Sligo's rich Neolithic landscape has been organised by the county council
European Archaeology Days 2025 is a celebration of archaeology that takes place from 13-15 of June this year. Over 5,000 events will take place across 30 European countries. European Archaeology Days are coordinated by the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) and are co-ordinated in Ireland by The Heritage Council. The Sligo tour will be guided by Dr. Robert Hensey, Project Coordinator with Sligo County Council for the Sligo World Heritage Site bid. The event will take place on Friday 13th June 2025 at 10.30am (duration approx. 3 hours). Meeting at Sligo Retail Park, Carraroe. The tour will involve travel by bus and a guided walk at selected locations. Walking boots and weather appropriate clothing, fluids and snacks required. Please note that dogs are note permitted. While the event is free of charge, places are strictly limited (Max. 25), and booking is essential via Eventbrite.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
2,300-Year-Old Sword Decorated With Swastikas Discovered
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient Celtic burial ground and retrieved various artifacts―including a sword that was forged 2,300 years ago and decorated with a swastika motif. The swastika is an ancient design that has been used by various cultures throughout history, although it is now commonly associated with Nazi Germany after Adolf Hitler appropriated the symbol for his regime. More than 100 graves were found across a vast site in the town of Creuzier-le-Neuf in central France. The graves were empty of human occupants―the skeletons having crumbled to dust in the area's acidic soil―but dozens of metal objects belonging to the dead were discovered. Newsweek has reached out by email to France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) seeking further information and comment. France's INRAP (National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research) conducts an archaeological dig in Toulouse, southwest France, on August 23, 2024. France's INRAP (National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research) conducts an archaeological dig in Toulouse, southwest France, on August 23, 2024. Patrick Batard / Hans Lucas via AFP and Getty Images Why It Matters Although the lack of human remains prevents anthropological study, the hoard of possessions—including bracelets, brooches, ceremonial weapons—that were created around the 3rd or 4th century B.C. provides a treasure trove for researchers. The discovery may shed new light on the region's historic culture and wealth, as well as the craftsmanship skills of those living within the society at the time. What To Know Today, the site lies in the small French town of Creuzier-le-Neuf, but back in the Second Iron Age (around 450 to 52 B.C.) the region was a crossroads of ancient cultures, including the Celts from the Arverni, Aedui and Bituriges tribes. The necropolis was first discovered in 2022, although details were not revealed until April 15 this year in France and the Smithsonian Magazine shared the news in the U.S. last week. The 7,000 sq ft site was excavated as work got underway to examine the area. More than 100 graves were found, with metal objects in around half of them. A single cremation burial was also discovered, with the remains of a decorated urn, that has now been painstakingly glued back together. Two expertly crafted swords, still in their copper-alloy scabbards, were also discovered. One was richly decorated, and included at least two swastikas carved on to polished gems. The other was almost entirely absent of decoration, but was found with fragments of fabric, which could have come from a material case or the clothes the deceased owner was wearing when buried. The second sword was longer than the first, and was found with a series of metal rings, which would have allowed it to be worn around the waist. The institute shared a photograph of the decorative sword on X (formerly Twitter), with the translation describing the object as being of "exceptional quality." Deux épées celtiques retrouvées dans leur fourreau Des parures métalliques ainsi que des armes d'une facture exceptionnelle ont été mises au jour par l'Inrap dans une vaste nécropole du second âge du Fer à Creuzier-le-Neuf (Allier) 👉 — Inrap (@Inrap) April 15, 2025 What People Are Saying A translation of a press release published by France's National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) reads: "Nearly half of the burials contain metal ornaments. Bracelets, either singly or in pairs, are common. Some are simple coiled copper alloy rods, others are more elaborate and decorated. Most are closed rings or rings with hidden clasps (one end fitting into the hollow part of the other). One grave yielded a pair of well-preserved bracelets decorated with circular shapes (ocelli) and long curves." Two swords were found in their scabbards, and INRAP said: "One is undoubtedly the most spectacular object in the necropolis [...] Its scabbard allowed it to be worn at the waist. The handle and front plate of the scabbard, made of copper alloys, are covered with scrollwork or ocelli. Several cabochons [polished gemstones] adorn the edges of the already richly decorated scabbard. At least two of them feature swastika decorations and probably glass paste. The sword consists of a short, elongated, pointed blade with a handle with antennas, made of iron, combined with spheres made of copper alloys or copper. X-rays revealed inlays on the top of the blade: a circle and a crescent moon separated by a line. The detail of the decorations indicates a design at the very beginning of the 4th century BC." INRAP archaeologist Vincent Georges told the journal Live Science that swastikas are known to have been widely used by the Celts in mainland Europe in the 4th and 5th centuries B.C., although the significance of the symbol to them is unclear. One of the brooches found at the burial site featured eye-like markings, another design that was "fashionable among Celtic craftsmen" from the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., Georges said. What Happens Next Details have just been announced about the findings and it was not immediately clear whether the objects are intended to go on public display in the future. In any case, the discovery will spark excitement among history buffs as well as archaeologists and researchers.
