Archeology discovery of the tomb of an amateur Celtic prince … – Le Point

The huge bronze cauldron lying at the bottom of the pit does not seem to fascinate journalist TF1 . She fumed. What, we did move from Paris to Troyes with a cameraman and a soundman for battered cauldron? Even skeleton filming. And then the crowd of colleagues who prevents them from working peacefully!

We, the plebeians of the press, we have fun. Certainly, we would have preferred a more spectacular falls, but we understand the enthusiasm of Inrap archaeologists who dig this funeral complex in Lavau, a suburb of Troyes. For if this is not the first proto-Celtic aristocrat found buried in his chariot in this region, the funerary complex is of exceptional size almost two hectares and dates back more than three millennia for the most graves old. Yet it is not this the most important. It takes a close look at the famous cauldron stoned. It appears as a wonderful work of Greek and Etruscan art. Four circular handles are adorned with heads of the god Archeloos horned, bearded and eight feline heads.

Inside lies a wine jug decorated with gold and blackish décor, called oinochoe by archaeologists. It recognizes Dionysus, god of wine, lying under a vine, facing a mysterious female character. Other treasures: two plates, a broken bottle, and then a strainer and a s poon microperforated, both in silver.

But what has full barbarous country, thousands of miles from the Greek world, typically Mediterranean banquet service, designed to serve wine? Emilia Millet, a specialist in antique furniture Inrap responds with grace, “These aristocrats are so ostentatious manner of burial were allies of the Greek traders who founded Marseille a few decades ago, they controlled the main roads allowing to. route to the Mediterranean slaves, amber and tin from the north of Europe. ” It is easy to imagine the Greeks offer their allies gifts like this prestigious tableware used at banquets. The question is whether the prince Celtic Lavau used although this cauldron to drink wine, not one of his usual drinks. Organic residues found at the bottom of the pot will soon deliver the answer to this question. If not, you should know that the Greeks did not drink pure wine. They mixed it with water and spices in this type of pot. Then the strange mix ture filtered through a sieve.

“That there is absolutely unique with dishes discovered in the tomb of Lavau, says Dominique Garcia, President Inrap and specialist in ancient times, is that it was like customized. It has added gold to make it more bling. As the foot of the oinochoe. A practice that is not found elsewhere in the Mediterranean world. And, apparently, this is not the DIY conducted within the Celts. ” All this makes it possible to talk about Inrap exceptional discovery. However, the grave has not issued any information about the identity of the principal occupant. Archaeologists have not yet unearthed the skeleton of which we see only some bones of the foot and the location of its orbit. The remains of a cutlass suggest that it would be a man. It is good to say, as these proto-Celts fifth century were not nearly as macho as our political class. Women could take all the power. At fifty miles away, the famous tomb of the lady of Vix is ​​there to prove it.

In a few weeks we will know more about the prince who had taken the used to booze developed to take its service to drink in his grave. “Verse drink to your neighbor because he loves, he loves …” sang the Four Barbus. But in moderation …