Exceptional discovery of a tomb prince in the Aube – Liberation

A Celtic princely grave of V ^th century BC was discovered in a craft and commercial area in Lavau, near the city of Troyes (Aube) . This is a find “exceptional” said the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (Inrap) AFP. The Institute dig this site since October at the request of the State

Inrap says on its Facebook account looks like the grave. “At the center of a tumulus 40 meters in diameter, the deceased and his chariot lie at the heart of a vast burial chamber 14 m ^² “. According to its president Dominique Garcia: “It was probably a local Celtic prince”

The tomb contains funerary deposits “worthy wealth. highest elite of the end of the first Iron Age “ by Inrap. The centerpiece is a large pot of a meter in diameter bronze composed of four circular handles decorated with heads of Achelous, the Greek river god. The edge of the pot is decorated with eight heads of lions. Inside, a oinochoe (wine jug) Ceramic Attic black figure was discovered. Dionysus drawing lying under a vine to face a female character is represented. This service Greco-Italic origin reflects drink according Inrap banquet practical Celtic aristocratic elites. The work would Etruscan and Greek and was used to make the wine mixed with water. The furniture “attests exchanges that existed between the Mediterranean and the Celts” , says Dominique Garcia.

At the heart of the cauldron, a oinochoe (wine jug) Ceramic Attic black-figure. (Denis Gliksman Inrap)

The end of the VI ^th century and the beginning of the V ^th century BC. J-C. were marked by the development of the economic activity of Etruscan and Greek city-states of the West. In search of slaves, metals and precious goods (tin, amber …), the Mediterranean traders came into contact with the continental Celtic communities.

These controlling natural communication routes along rivers (Seine, Rhone, Saone, Rhine, Danube) have benefited from these exchanges and their elites have won many prestigious properties. Remarkable objects have been found in their monumental tombs, as in Hochdorf (Germany) and Vix (Bourgogne) in particular.

RELEASE