A mysterious horseshoe-shaped ancient monument containing weapons and artifacts has been discovered in Marliens, Eastern France
Surprisingly, these artifacts do not belong to one particular historical period but many.
Archaeologists from the French National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP), who led the excavation work, described this unusual ancient structure as “unprecedented.”
“This type of monument seems unprecedented and currently no comparison has been made,” revealed the translated press statement from the INRAP.
This suggests that no other such ancient monuments had been unearthed before this discovery.
INRAP conducted the excavation work before expanding a gravel pit in the Ouche Valley, a tributary of the Saone River.
Peculiar monument date yet to be confirmed
This strange monument includes three interconnecting enclosures.
The monument features a large bowtie-shaped structure with a circular construction in the center. It is framed by a horseshoe-shaped feature on one side and a jug-handle-shaped structure on the other.
The circular construction is roughly 11 meters (36 feet) in diameter, while the horseshoe-shaped feature is estimated to be 26 feet long (8 meters).
The recovered artifacts and weapons include flint arrowheads, protective armbands used by archers, a flint lighter, and a copper-alloy dagger. As per the press release, these relics suggest that the location was populated at different times.
For example, the carved flint items unearthed in a nearby ditch are thought to date from the Neolithic era, when early human civilization began practicing agriculture.
Meanwhile, the weapons discovered at the site are likely to be related to the Bell Beaker civilization, which thrived some 4,500 years ago. The Bell Beaker culture, notable for its unique pottery and burial practices, is considered an important European archeological period.
Experts are currently analyzing the dating of this prehistoric monument.
“The only artifacts discovered in the ditches correspond to carved flint that would suggest a chrono-cultural attribution to the Neolithic period. For more precision, radiocarbon analyses are underway to specify the chronology of this monument,” noted the release.
Other key findings
Upon closer examination, archeologists found traces of iron oxide on one of the bracelets, which suggests its potential use in igniting fires. This discovery suggests that the armband may have been used in burial activities, perhaps to facilitate funeral rites or ceremonies. However, experts have not yet confirmed this hypothesis.
“Analyses on the composition of the copper alloy of the dagger should make it possible to establish its origin and to inform us about trade at that time,” the press release added.
The team also uncovered a gravesite (necropolis) dating between 1500 and 1300 BCE.
Interestingly, it consisted of five circular enclosures, likely used as burial sites for individuals or families. The fact that one of the enclosures was sealed suggests that it may have held a particularly important individual or a special ceremony was conducted there.
The biggest enclosure was discovered with traces of a funeral pyre, including ceramic fragments, five copper-alloy pins, and an amber bead necklace.
They also discovered evidence of wells with clay linings at the bottom, presumably created during the Bronze Age.
