In the French city of Narbonne, a large cemetery from the Roman era was excavated on a site prepared for construction. The territory of 0.2 hectares is filled with more than 1 thousand graves. Among them, 300 graves have already been studied. The necropolis is located at the intersection of two ancient paths, near this place was once an ancient city. Probably, this place was most actively used in the I-II centuries ad.
Tombstones located at the graves indicate that ordinary residents of the city are buried here. However, judging by the burial inventory, the people were very wealthy. In addition, many of the graves showed traces of burned organic materials. Most likely, these are the remains of sacrifices. And a third of the tombs are equipped with a system for sacrificial libations: from the surface to the graves laid tubes and vessels made of clay.
Because the cemetery was periodically flooded by a nearby river, thanks to layers of silt, scientists can date cultural layers and trace the evolution of burial rites.
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Photo © thehistoryblog.com
Photo © thehistoryblog.com
Photo © thehistoryblog.com
Photo © thehistoryblog.com