Archaeologists Discover Bizarre Ancient Burials

Archaeologists have uncovered a series of bizarre ancient burials in France. The burials came to light during an excavation related to the restructuring of a school in the city of Dijon, which is located in the east of the country. This excavation, carried out between October and December of 2024, revealed remains spanning from antiquity to the modern period, the French National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) announced in a statement. In the oldest layers excavated—which likely date to the French Second Iron Age (also known as the La Tène period)—archaeologists found a series of 13 "unusual" burials.

These consisted of circular pits, approximately 3 feet in diameter and evenly spaced from one another, that formed a straight line running from south to north. Inside these pits, the researchers found the remains of adults buried in an identical manner: sitting at the bottom with their backs against the eastern walls, facing west. The arms were resting alongside their torsos, while their hands were placed near the pelvis or femurs. Their legs, meanwhile, were highly bent, often in an asymmetrical manner. Researchers found no personal items or adornments associated with the remains, except for a black stone armband dated to between 300–200 B.C.—indicating a potential age for the burials. The burials are "particularly remarkable" due to the number uncovered and the good state of preservation of the skeletons, according to INRAP. Examples of individuals buried in a seated position are documented throughout prehistory, although such finds are relatively rare. For the period that the recent discoveries likely date to, only around 50 "seated" burials are known from a dozen archaeological sites in the northern half of France and in Switzerland. Despite the fact that these sites are spread out over a relatively large area, there are a number of similarities. For example, the burial structures are located at the edge of settlements, the individuals concerned are adults, and when the sex is known, it is male. In addition, the uniformity of the positions—same orientation and careful positioning of the body—is reminiscent of stone or metal representations of crouching or seated figures dated to between the late La Tène period and the early Roman Empire. This specific funerary treatment appears to have been reserved for a limited number of individuals, raising questions about their status. They may have been members of important families, warriors, ancestors, or individuals linked to the political or religious spheres. The La Tène period lasted from around the 5th century B.C. to the Roman conquest in the 1st century B.C. It is characterized by significant cultural and technological advancements among the Celtic tribes in France. The La Tène culture is known for its distinctive art, including elaborate metalwork, weapons and pottery, as well as improvements in agricultural techniques and the development of fortified settlements. This period saw the rise of powerful tribal confederations and complex societies, which eventually came into contact with the expanding Roman Empire, leading to their eventual subjugation. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about archaeology? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.