French archaeologists discover an exceptional Gallic chariot tomb at Warcq in France

Art Daily ^ | Friday, July 4, 2014 | unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

A combined team composed of archaeologists from the Ardennes departmental archaeology unit and from Inrap is currently excavating a Gallic aristocratic tomb at Warcq (Ardennes)...

This type of aristocratic tomb emerges in the 7th century B.C. – during the first Iron Age – and ends with the end of the Gallic period. The oldest chariots have four wheels (like that found at Vix), while those from the second Iron Age have only two. The deceased person – who could be male or female – was generally inhumed on the chariot, which was an object of prestige and a symbol of social status. Champagne-Ardenne is famous for such tombs (particularly at Bourcq and Semide in the Ardennes), which are generally dated to the start of the second Iron Age (5th-4th century B.C.).

The excavation has currently revealed only the upper levels of this 15 m² funerary chamber. The chamber was covered with wood in the form of planks supported by a central span and with supports on the pit walls. Several elements of the chariot have already been revealed: the iron wheel bands, whose interiors are covered with gold leaf, probable hub decorations in bronze set with glass paste, and some planks. Finally, in the south east angle, decorative elements in bronze still connected to the wood of the shaft have been discovered. These atypical objects do not as yet enable an accurate determination of the chronology of the chariot tomb. Another rare feature is the discovery along the western wall of two small horses whose bones are still articulated...

[SunkenCiv]

The excavation has currently revealed only the upper levels of this 15 m² funerary chamber. © Denis Gliksman, Inrap

[SunkenCiv]

[ConorMacNessa]

That would be the resting place of some of my more remote family members.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

O stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians that we lie here, obedient to their command.

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[OftheOhio]

That’s the way to go. Send me out in a Saab 900 turbo or a 1968 British Spitfire.

[ExCTCitizen]

I’m surprised if the chariot was in a war...I mean French and war... :-)

[ExCTCitizen]

I’m surprised if the chariot was in a war...I mean French and war... :-)

[GeronL]

lol

[BenLurkin]

Very cool.

[faithhopecharity]

Wasn’t Elvis buried in his Cadillac?

[Little Pig]

These aren’t the post-Norman French. These are Gauls, and the Gauls kicked ass regularly.