Posted on 08/02/2014 12:51:14 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
A team of archaeologists working on a site at Saint-Aubin-des-Champs in France have discovered the remains of a Merovingian necropolis dating to the 5th -7th centuries AD...
The graves were found at a variety of depths with some up to 1.50 m deep. Each burial contained the deceased once contained within a wooden coffin, now completely rotted away.
An examination of the contents of these burials allowed them to be split into three main groups or periods of inhumation.
Fewer grave goods are in evidence after 5th century AD as the population has become Christian.
7th century AD burials are characterised with individuals wearing simple or highly decorated belt buckles of bronze or iron.
In one of the earlier graves, archaeologists have unearthed the skeleton of an adult man with a particularly rich assemblage of twenty grave goods consisting of ceramics, glassware, a bronze basin, tin plate, even a wooden bucket with bronze strapping, a decorated Frankish axe, spear, dagger in his belt and silver coin deposited on the mouth. This man went well dressed into the afterlife, as he was even wearing a pair of shoes...
Archaeologists have come to the conclusion that this was the cemetery of a small village community, who lived in Évrecy between the fifth and seventh centuries AD. This cemetery was abandoned in the late seventh century, probably in favour of another burial site...
This will allow researchers to conduct a comprehensive study on the history and lifestyle of this community and will become a major reference in the study of burial practices in Lower Normandy, during the period that witnessed the transitional period between the end of the Roman Empire and the beginnings of Christianity and medieval Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at pasthorizonspr.com ...
Weren’t these Christian burials.
Why are their graves being desecrated?
I read somewhere a long time ago that this kingdom was actually Jewish. Anyone else recall that?
5th century grave as I suspected: the Roman economy was still functioning at a minimal level (good quality pottery and glassware) and/or enough materials were handed down that some were still available.
"Free Republic is here to continue fighting for independence and freedom and against the unconstitutional encroachment of ever expanding socialist government...
We believe in the founding principles with all our hearts and mean to defend them to our dying breath..."
~Jim Robinson
Please support Free Republic
click the pic!
The eastern half of the Empire was still going strong, and there was a load of seagoing trade, including throughout the British Isles. Good call.
They’re doing it just to piss you off.
That’s it. Time to take action.
I’m getting on a plane right now!
Where is Merovingia anyway — is that near Ruritania?
The Merovingians were descendents of Jesus and Mary Magdalene (or so the story goes). The bloodline of Christ was the true Holy Grail, don’t ya know. ;^)
Looks like quite a find.
San greal versus Sang Real!
In Old French, san graal or san gréal means “Holy Grail” and sang réal means “royal blood”; Holy Blood; Holy Grail was based on this pun.
Have they found Merovech yet?
“The Merovingians were descendents of Jesus and Mary Magdalene”
http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/bull.wav
So Archeology equals desecration to you? Wow.
Well, if somebody needs the lot for construction of an apartment building, or a gas station, then the bones will have to be moved anyway, so why not study the site.
After all, as the article points out — this is the first time the site has been looted.
BUT
These people were Christians, received Christian burials, and are otherwise entitled to rest in peace.
Not only that, truth is they did not live and die in the dim mists of prehistory, and the desecration done in the process simply isn’t justified by the meager information gleaned.
They bore belt buckles and earrings. Wow.
Considering that the research team didn’t sprinkle goat blood and copulate on the bones, I wouldn’t call it desecration. So, there’s that. Also, them being Christians or receiving Christian burials doesn’t distinguish the site’s import for me.
Now I see you’re just pulling my leg.
As if 5th century burial practices in lower Normandy are of any significance.
You almost had me going for a minute there.
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.
