An individual in France who aimed to renew his basement was astonished to discover dozens of historical artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages. Archaeologists who visited the region stated that their excavations could provide a better understanding of the population living in the area during both the Classical Ancient Age and the Middle Ages.

In his attempt to renovate his basement in France, a man uncovered numerous historical artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages. Archaeologists who traveled to the region located in the south of the capital city Paris conducted excavations on a 52-square-meter area. Researchers found dozens of skeletons and tombstones, suggesting that the findings could assist in better understanding the lifestyle of the population living in the region during the Classical Ancient Age and the Middle Ages. Previous studies had revealed that the region hosted an ancient medieval cemetery; however, plaster tombstones from the late Middle Ages had never been discovered before. USED OVER CENTURIES

The new excavations revealed that the graves were arranged in parallel rows and indicated that the cemetery was used from the 3rd century BC to the 10th century AD. Recent excavations suggest that the cemetery is even older than previously thought, with the earliest graves dating back over 1500 years to the end of the Classical Ancient Age. These funeral practices evolved with bodies being buried in plaster tombs around the 500s AD. Scientists from the archaeological research center Archeodunum noted that the tombstones were unadorned and, although multiple bodies were often found, each tomb contained only one body.

RELATED TO CHRISTIAN CULTURE?

The tombstones were discovered placed side by side and in a fan-shaped arrangement. While no special markings were found on the gravestones, a carved block of soft stone on one of them stood out. Researchers explained that the stone bore designs of flowers, the Latin cross, and a cross enclosed in a circle, motifs commonly seen in plaster tombs and Christian places of worship. Future research aims to provide more information on the gender, age at death, and living conditions of the skeletons. Scientists hope that these findings will offer a deeper understanding of both the population during the Classical Ancient Age and the funeral traditions of the periods.