Merovingian sarcophagus (6th-8th century) made of limestone.Credit: Clarisse Couderc, Inrap
Posted on 01/09/2025 1:14:02 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Recent archaeological excavations at the Church of Saint-Philibert in Dijon, France, have revealed a complex stratification of history stretching from the Roman Empire to modern times... Located on Rue Michelet near the Saint-Bénigne Cathedral, the Church of Saint-Philibert is a Romanesque masterpiece founded in the late 12th century. Over time, the church underwent significant modifications, including a 15th-century porch, a 16th-century spire, and 18th-century chapels. Despite its grandeur, the structure has suffered from centuries of deterioration, exacerbated by salt storage during the 18th and 19th centuries and a heated concrete slab installed in the 1970s. These interventions caused salt to ascend through capillary action, leading to cracking and fragility in the stones.
The site has long served as a burial ground, with graves from different periods reflecting the region's evolving cultural and religious practices. In the nave, archaeologists uncovered burials dating from the 14th to 18th centuries. These graves, aligned east-west, typically contained adults wrapped in shrouds, with minimal offerings such as coins or rosaries. In the transept, a 15th-16th century ossuary revealed a practice of reorganizing older remains to accommodate new burials...
One of the most extraordinary discoveries is a collection of sarcophagi dating to Late Antiquity and the Merovingian period (6th-8th centuries). These include intricately sculpted examples, suggesting the burial of elites. Positioned within now-vanished structures, the sarcophagi underline the site's importance as a religious and funerary center during the transition from the Roman world to the Early Middle Ages.
(Excerpt) Read more at archaeologymag.com ...
Merovingian sarcophagus (6th-8th century) made of limestone.Credit: Clarisse Couderc, Inrap
At what point does it become grave robbery?
That’s a scene from an account in Britain. :^)
Never. It doesn’t, because it isn’t grave robbery.
Si.
Classic story of the Roman ghost soldiers of York.
Were any rare smelt disturbed in this?
Heart is racing...
later
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
