Two years after thieves took away a number of valuable metal artifacts from a Bronze Age relic near the Sioule canyon (Gannat – France), archaeologists were shocked to discover that the theft had exposed 2 huge treasures and a fortress.
According to the research team led by French archaeologist Pierre-Yves Milcent from the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, this settlement is about 800 years old, belonging to the Late Bronze Age. After the theft in 2017, scientists still decided to return in 2019 to study the settlement, with fortified trenches gradually exposed underground.
Excavated artifacts – Photo: Toulouse Jean Jaurès University
In 2020, they made an interesting discovery: although the thieves took away many antiquities, they accidentally helped the archaeological team get closer to two other warehouses of metal artifacts, containing countless pages inside. beautiful equipment, tools, weapons, artifacts.
Scientists are restoring artifacts at the laboratory – Photo: Toulouse Jean Jaurès University
According to Ancient Origin, they are two large ceramic jars that are completely intact, filled with bracelets, pendants, belts, knives with painted edges, colors, sickles, spearheads… With the age, purity and historical significance of the antiques, it can be said that it is one of the greatest treasures in France.
Excavation site – Photo: Toulouse Jean Jaurès University
The burial of the artifacts was probably done as a ritual to mark the end of an era, as it was not a frequently used burial ground or ceremonial site. It seems that the owners of the fortress – the center of the settlement, the residence of a special person – left after the ceremony
